8 hurt in five-vehicle pileup in Manila

EIGHT people came out with nothing more than minor injuries after six vehicles piled up in the northbound lane of Mabini Bridge, formerly Nagtahan Bridge in Manila on Monday afternoon.

The victims, which were rescued from the mangled remains of two trucks and four cars, were rushed to the University of Santo Tomas Hospital and Manila Doctors’ Hospital for treatment of their injuries, which were nothing more than wounds and bruises.

According to initial investigation reports, the incident happened around 1:30 p.m. at the northbound side of the bridge, near the intersection of M. Guazon Street. A 10-wheeler truck loaded with sacks of sugar lost control as it attempted to stop at a red light before heading up the bridge.

The truck’s driver, Elbert Olandia, 27, told reporters at the scene that he lost control of the truck as the light turned red, and he rear-ended a truck ahead of him.

The impact of the collision was so forceful that the truck hit an Isuzu Crosswind, a Toyota Vios and a Hyundai Eon ahead of it.

As this happened, Olalia’s truck crossed into the southbound lane of the bridge and collided head-on with a Toyota Innova.

All the four cars were reduced to scrap after the crash, while the two trucks sustained severe damage.

Investigators said that Olandia could face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury and damage to property.

The incident led to the closure of Quirino Avenue while also causing gridlock along the Nagtahan Flyover, Lacson Avenue and other nearby streets.

Vehicles of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority are still trying to clear up the vehicles as of 6 p.m. With Andronico M. del Rosario, trainee