Driver loses control of vehicle, hits San Juanico Bridge railing

TACLOBAN CITY – A vehicle loaded with liquefied petroleum gas tanks hit the railings of the San Juanico Bridge on Thursday morning.

The accident happened at 9:03 a.m. involving an Isuzu Canopy-type vehicle driven by Arnold Bado, 27, a resident of Barangay 70 of this city.

The police report said the vehicle was descending towards the direction of Barangay San Juan, Sta. Rita, Samar from this city when its steering wheel was detached forcing the driver to apply the brakes but still lost control of the vehicle.

As a result, the vehicle turned right and hit the bridge’s railings, while the front right tire of the vehicle fell on the bridge.

The driver was safe.

The vehicle was retrieved by personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways using a crane.

The San Juanico Bridge, constructed during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1973, is set to undergo major repair as aesthetic lightings are to be put up on the bridge.

The lights are funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority of the Department of Tourism and the provincial government of Samar.

The San Juanico Bridge is considered among Eastern Visayas’ landmarks and is one of its tourist attractions./lzb