Driver swept away by flood in Marikina still missing

Rescue workers are searching for the body of the driver of a Tamaraw FX taxi which was swept away by strong currents while passing a bridge at the Marikina River in Marikina City last Saturday.

Elements of Rescue 161 of the Marikina City local government recovered the FX taxi yesterday some 100 meters away from the Tumana Bridge but its driver, Elpidio de Vera, 56, of Farmers 2, Barangay Concepcion Uno, was not found.

De Vera was last seen crossing the Tumana Bridge in Barangay Concepcion Uno on board a white TX taxi, with license plate UFG-416, at about 9 p.m. on Saturday. He was on his way home.

Because of heavy rains, the floodwaters at the Marikina River rose and overflowed at the Tumana Bridge.

Witnesses told Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, Marikina police chief, that a big wave swept De Vera’s vehicle, which fell into the river before the driver could abandon it.

Gaerlan said that when the vehicle was recovered at 8 a.m. yesterday, the window on the driver’s seat was open but De Vera could not be found.

It was the second time that a vehicle was swept away while cruising atop the Tumana Bridge. Last December, a Toyota Revo was also swept by strong currents but its passengers managed to vacate the vehicle before it fell into the river. — Non Alquitran