7 hurt when van loses breaks, plows 4 trikes in Cotabato

A forward van loaded with canned goods plows on Monday tricycles in a busy stretch of Kidapawan City highway. PHOTOS BY WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA

KIDAPAWAN CITY—A van loaded with canned goods plowed several tricycles and vehicles when its brake malfunctioned Monday as it traversed the Cotabato-Davao highway, a traffic official said.

The accident caused injuries to at least seven tricycle passengers and damaged four tricycles.

Rey Manar, head of the City Traffic Management Unit, said Rebecca Pelayo, 73, of Mundog Subdivision, was severely injured when she was pinned between two tricycles. Rosalie Baclid 42, suffered a fracture in her legs.

Rescuers took time to rescue both passengers caught between two tricycles. Both are now under observation in a hospital, Manar said.

Five other passengers suffered head and face injuries from broken windshields.

A forward van loaded with canned goods plows on Monday tricycles in a busy stretch of Kidapawan City highway. PHOTOS BY WILLIAMOR A. MAGBANUA

Allan Maula, the van driver, said the vehicle was in good condition when he left Antipas town of Cotabato. Upon reaching the city proper, he noticed that its break malfunctioned, resulting in the incident. He said the van was on its way to Tagum City after delivering canned goods to various stores in Cotabato.

“I was supposed to bring the van to a stockpile but (I) miscalculated and hit the incoming tricycles along the highway, instead,” Maula said in a radio interview.

Maula apologized to the injured passengers and pledged to help them pay the hospital bills and repair the damaged tricycles.

“I’m very sorry, it was not intentional; it was an accident,” he said.

He was detained at the Kidapawan Police Custodial facility as authorities prepared charges against him in court. Williamor Magbanua

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