Car slams into truck; driver now critical

CEBU, Philippines - A man is now fighting for his life after the car he was driving accidentally rammed a ten-wheeler truck along North Reclamation Area in Barangay Mabolo at dawn yesterday.

Joshua Talon, Jr.,whose identification card showed him as a bank employee, had his arm broken after he was pinned down inside his vehicle.

According to a witness, Eduardo Tanghinan, he saw men pushing the 10-wheeler truck after its engine stopped functioning at around 3 in the morning.

The next thing he saw was a white Ford Everest stuck beneath the truck.

Talon, who was driving the vehicle, was pinned down to his seat, facing the bottom of the truck.

Paramedics from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) and personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 conducted a rescue operation to retrieve Talon from the car.

Rescuers had to gradually disassemble parts of both vehicles to safely take the victim out, whose broken left arm was already dangling on his side.

Paramedics had to pump up oxygen to the victim who had trouble breathing while they were trying to save him.

After two hours, Talon was finally taken out of the car and was rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital.

Eldibrando Gempeso, driver of the truck, said he was manning the wheel while his companions pushed the vehicle when he suddenly heard a loud thud at the back.

He said his stomach hit the steering wheel owing to the strong impact.

PO2 Franklin Balaquia, who investigated the case, said Gempeso would also be held liable for the incident since he did not switch on the hazard signal or place any warning device to caution incoming vehicles that he was having mechanical problems.

Gempeso is temporarily held under police custody while the investigation is ongoing.  (FREEMAN)