Six people died, including three minors, and four others were injured when the tricycle they were riding crashed into an elf truck in General Santos City afternoon on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

The truck driver claimed that he was driving at low speed when the tricycle driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle at the curve and allegedly encroached into the truck’s lane, which resulted in the crash.

“Hinay kaayo akong dagan mga 40, unya naa man ang motor (tricycle) puno man gud ang tricycle unya pag kuan niya na out of control sya, pag kurbada niya na out of control siya na-alsa iyang sidewheel nasulod siya sa among linya, mao tong sya ang nagbangga sa amoa,” the truck driver said.

Five people, including the tricycle driver, died on the spot while a six-year-old girl did not reach the hospital alive. The other fatalities were a one-year-old baby and an 11-year-old boy.

Four girls aged seven, eight, 12, and 13 were taken to the hospital after sustaining head injuries.

The victims were on their way home from a resort in Barangay Bawing. The victims’ relative reportedly reminded the tricycle driver to be careful as there were minors on board.

“Kabalo na man gud tong tawhana na may mga bata man gud. Kabalo siya na naay mga sakay nga bata… mag-hinay-hinay lang unta,” the victims’ relative said.

The truck driver was taken to the Traffic Enforcement Unit for custody.