CEBU, Philippines - A car caught fire during an accident yesterday dawn inside the South Coastal Road tunnel prompting traffic authorities to close the underpass for more than three hours while clearing operations were done.
Jonathan Tumulak, operations head of the City Traffic Operations Management, said no one was hurt in the accident because the driver of the Subaru sedan, Jose Lorenzo Retuya, was able to get out of the car before it caught fire.
Retuya, 23, resident of Barangay Basak-San Nicolas, Cebu City, was on his way home from his work in Mandaue City when he lost control of his car while in the tunnel.
Retuya claimed that the rear portion of his car suddenly swerved hitting the concrete wall of the tunnel. Because of the impact, Retuya lost control of the wheel as it swerved again and hit the wall for the second time.
Fortunately, Retuya was able to bring the vehicle into a complete stop before it was on fire. Retuya was able to escape unhurt.
“Nagkayo-kayo kuno ang body sa sakyanan nga nabag-id sa sementado nga bung-bong sa tunnel ug mao nga diha nga nakamaneho ang drayber pagpahunong nagdali kini nga migawas og igo lang g’yud siya nga nakagawas nasunog ang awto,” Tumulak said.
Tumulak said they immediately closed the tunnel until 7:34 a.m. until the clearing operation was done.
Tumulak said he also asked Engineer Roger Quibilan of the Project Management Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways to check the tunnel for possible damage.
“Paniguro lang ang ato kay nabangga-bangga ra ba ang awto unya nasunog didto sa sulod sa tunnel,” Tumulak said.
The Citom official reminded the motorists to be extra careful when passing the tunnel and must switch on their vehicle’s headlights even during day time. (FREEMAN)