Meralco employee dies after car plunges into Pasig River

MANILA, Philippines - A 27- year-old employee of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) died inside the Toyota Vios he was driving after it plunged into the Pasig River in Makati City early Saturday.

A report reaching the Makati Police identified the victim as Jose Marie Garcia del Rosario, a substationman of Meralco and a resident of 8 Matimtiman Street, Barangay Dolores, Taytay City.

Police said Del Rosario's passenger, Robert Rillera managed to get out of the silver Vios with plate number UGI-432 as it slowly sank into the river.

According to initial reports, the car was on its way to Pateros from Manila and was cruising along J.P. Rizal Street at about 5:35 a.m. when it suddenly lost control and went straight to the river at the portion in front of the Guadalupe BLISS.

Police said Del Rosario was still strapped in the driver's chair and died instantly.

A crane from Meralco later retrieved the car from the river at about 9 a.m.

The Makati Traffic Police is still looking into the accident.