MAKILALA, North Cotabato – Two motorists and a cargo truck helper died in a freak highway accident at a treacherous section of the highway here on Saturday night, a traffic official said.
The accident, which occurred around 10 p.m. Saturday, claimed the lives of three persons after a cargo truck loaded with metal scrap materials hit a cement retaining wall and fell on its left, crushing into an oncoming motorbike.
The motorbike was driven by Kierl Laurel, 20, with Ramuel Porras, 20, as pillion or backrider. Both were from President Roxas town.
The third fatality, Baguindala Macalapin of Cotabato City, was a helper of the ill-fated cargo truck.
“The two (motorbike riders) were pinned to death,” Makilala town disaster risk reduction and management council action officer Fil Jamero said.
He said the Davao-bound Isuzu truck (GLW-209), driven by Kasan Sali Zacaria, hit the highway cement retaining wall in the downhill, zigzag road section of Barangay Bulatukan here.
The truck hit the wall with the marking “Life is short” before it tilted, pressing to death the two passing motorists, Jamero added.
He said the remains of the two motorists were recovered at 6 a.m. Sunday.
Truck driver Zacaria was also wounded and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Other motorists who witnessed the incident said they noticed the cargo truck moving wayward prior to the crash, surmising that the driver could have fallen asleep and lost control of the steering wheel. (PNA)
