6 dead, 8 hurt in 2 road mishaps in Batangas

Batangas, Philippines – Six people died while eight others sustained injuries in two successive vehicular accidents on the same road in Nasugbu town this province before dawn on Friday, according to authorities.

In the first mishap, the driver and two helpers of a 16-wheeler truck lost their lives when the vehicle lost control along the descending and winding stretch of the highway in Sitio Bayabasan, Barangay Aga at around 2:50 a.m.

PO2 Ramon Sale, Nasugbu police investigator, identified the fatalities as driver Rowel Santos, 30, and his two helpers, Alvino Gulila and LJ Gulila.

Probers said the truck, which was loaded with sand, was en route to Calaca town from Porac, Pampanga when Santos lost control of the wheel, sending the vehicle slamming into an electric post and pinning him and his helpers to death. 

An hour later, a Batangas-bound 18-wheeler truck from Tagaytay City also lost control along the same highway stretch, ramming six vehicles and killing three people on the spot and injuring eight others. 

Police identified the fatalities as truck driver Christopher Delaun and his helpers, Charlie Fermin and Celedonio Casilag.

Traffic investigators said the truck was descending the highway when part of the 20 tons of metal weights used for crane that it was carrying broke loose and rolled in front of the vehicle, pinning the three to death.

The wayward truck crashed into a Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia, a Ford Expedition, a Ford Ranger, a dump truck, a closed van, and a tricycle. 

The eight injured were rushed to the Apacible Memorial Hospital, Western Batangas Hospital, and hospitals in Manila for treatment.