A couple died while their seven-year-old child survived a multi-vehicle crash involving two kolong-kolong units on the Maharlika Highway in Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija.

A kolong kolong is a type of motorized tricycle. It consists of a motorcycle attached to a sidecar, which is typically flat and used for carrying small-scale cargo such as fish, vegetables, and water bottles. It is used widely in public markets and are a popular mode of transportation in rural areas.

Police said the victims were riding a kolong-kolong with their child in Barangay Malayantoc when another kolong-kolong tried to overtake on the right side of the road.

The overtaking vehicle, driven allegedly by a drunk 43-year-old man, hit a big bike first before crashing into the victims’ vehicle.

The impact pushed the victims’ kolong-kolong into the opposite lane where it was struck by an oncoming closed van.

The woman died on the spot, while her husband was declared dead in the hospital. Their child survived with multiple injuries.

Police have filed complaints against the driver of the second kolong-kolong.