MANILA, Philippines — Six individuals died on the spot following the accident along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on Saturday noon, an official from the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) confirmed.
TRB Spokesperson Alberto Suansing told INQUIRER.net that no information yet on the identification of the fatalities.
“Ang latest report, anim ang patay. Lahat yun pasahero ng van. Dead on the spot,” Suansing said in a phone interview.
According to initial reports, a Hyundai H100 van was traversing along the northbound section of Candaba Viaduct around 12:18 p.m. when its tire blew up.
This is the latest update on the NLEX report posted earlier, wherein authorities reported that 10 individuals were injured during the road accident.
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Suansing also said that authorities are yet to determine the cause why the tire blew up but it is not discounting the possibility that the van was over-speeding.
“Sumabog yung left rear tire, most probably may diperensya yung gulong or most probably matulin yung sasakyan,” Suansing said.
He also noted that after the van’s tire blew up, the vehicle rolled over, prompting its doors to fly open.
With this, five passengers of the van were thrown out of the vehicle over the bridge barrier, killing them instantly.
The other fatality, meanwhile, died along the expressway before reaching the hospital.
Suansing added that the remaining passengers who were injured are still being attended to in the hospital. He noted that one of the injured persons is in “critical condition.”
Following the mishap, Suansing urged the public to be extra careful while on the road and check the condition of their vehicles before traveling.
The NLEX management said the area where the accident happened is now open for motorists after authorities cleared the wrecked vehicle and other debris. /jpv