7 passengers hurt after closed van plows through tricycles on Kidapawan highway

KIDAPAWAN CITY - At least seven passengers were hurt after a closed van loaded with canned goods plowed through four tricycles while traversing the Cotabato-Davao Highway on Monday noontime, a traffic official said.

Rey Manar, the City Traffic Management Unit head, identified those severely injured in the accident as Rebecca Pelayo, 73, resident of Mundog Subdivision, and Rosalie Baclid, 42. Baclid sustained a fracture in her legs. 

It took a long time for rescuers to free both passengers as they were pinned down by the two tricycles.

They are now being observed in the hospital, Manar said.

Five other passengers sustained head and face injuries from the broken wind shields and impact of the accident.

Allan Maula, the closed van driver, said that the vehicle was in good condition when he left Antipas, Cotabato. However, upon reaching the city proper, the van's brake malfunctioned, resulting in the accident.

In a radio interview, Maula said he was on the way to Tagum City, but miscalculated and hit the incoming tricycles on the highway.

Maula asked the victims for forgiveness, saying it was an accident and he lost control. He pledged to help pay the bills of those who had to be brought to the hospitals, as well as those who need to repair the damaged tricycles.

Maula is now detained at the Kidapawan Police Custodial facility while authorities are preparing charges against him in court. —KG, GMA News