Woman killed, driver hurt as train hits car in Laguna 

SAN PEDRO CITY, Philippines -A woman was killed while her driver was seriously hurt after a Philippine National Railways (PNR) train hit their car in Biñan City in Laguna province late night Saturday.

Police are still confirming the identities of the 21-year-old woman and the male driver following the incident that happened at around 11:30 p.m. in the Halang crossing of Barangay (village) Canlalay.

Geronimo said that based on footages from security cameras, the car apparently tried to beat the south-bound train in crossing the tracks. Police said the train hit the car in the rear.

“There were three vehicles that tried to beat the (incoming) train. The first two (also cars) made it through but this one (the victims’) was hit in the rear,” Geronimo said.

Mendoza said the train dragged the car for a few meters before it stopped.

PNR spokesperson and operations manager Joseline Geronimo, in a phone interview Sunday, declined to identify the train driver, who is now under police custody.

Biñan City police chief Lt. Col. Danilo Mendoza, in a separate phone interview, said they are preparing to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and serious injuries against the train’s driver.

Mendoza said it took them and city rescuers around eight hours before they finally removed the driver from the car after his legs were pinned in the car’s engine.

The driver was taken to the Ospital ng Biñan for treatment of his injuries. Geronimo said the train gave enough warning as it approached the crossing.

“As we always say: stop, look, and listen… It should be everyone’s initial reaction when you approach rail tracks,” she said.

Edited by MUF