ILOILO — Three persons were killed while two others were injured after a truck loaded with sugarcane crashed into an acacia tree along the national highway in Barangay Caigon, Maasin on Saturday afternoon, May 30.
Police Lt. Rena Depatuan, officer-in-charge of the Maasin Municipal Police Station, said four individuals were onboard the truck when the accident occurred. The victims included the driver, the 72-year-old owner of the truck who was seated beside him, and one of their helpers riding at the back.
According to Depatuan, the truck first sideswiped a motorcycle before veering off the road and slamming into the roadside acacia tree.
“Based on our initial investigation, a motorcycle suddenly entered the truck’s lane. The truck driver attempted to avoid a direct collision, but in the process lost control of the vehicle and hit the acacia tree,” Depatuan said.
The impact severely damaged the truck, trapping the driver and the truck owner inside the wreckage. Both were declared dead at the scene. One of the helpers was also thrown from the vehicle and died instantly.
The other helper sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the motorcycle rider suffered minor injuries.
Depatuan said authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.
The truck was transporting sugarcane when the accident happened. As of press time, police have yet to release the identities of the victims pending notification of their families./PN
