1 dead, 20 hurt in truck smashup

MANILA, Philippines - One person was killed and 20 others were injured when two trucks – one loaded with fish and the other carrying a backhoe – collided along EDSA in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Helper Jomar Nablasca, 21, died while fish truck driver Dolphy Olbina was listed in critical condition after his left leg was broken in the accident at the corner of EDSA and Congressional Avenue at past 3 a.m.

SPO4 Raymundo Layug said Olbina’s truck was moving along EDSA’s southbound lane while the trailer truck was on Congressional Avenue.

Upon reaching the intersection, the trailer truck driven by Oliver Gomez was about to make a turn when it collided with Olbina’s truck.

The delivery truck had 18 passengers, mostly helpers aged 16 and 17, sleeping in the back. The collision threw the sleeping helpers onto the pavement while Olbina and two others were pinned in the truck.

Layug said it took rescuers more than an hour to extricate the delivery truck driver and the two others. He said most of the passengers were rushed to Quezon City General Hospital and the East Avenue Medical Center for treatment.

Gomez fled after the mishap but later gave himself up to authorities. He is facing a case for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries.