Garbage collector killed in garbage truck crash

The wrecked garbage truck following the accident Tuesday morning in Barangay Bonbonon, Iligan City. Divina M. Suson

ILIGAN CITY – A garbage collector died when a garbage truck he was riding met an accident, Tuesday morning, in Barangay Bonbonon, here.

The fatality was identified as PJ Catubig, 32, married, a resident of Barangay Santiago, Iligan City.

Six other garbage collectors, including the driver, were brought to the hospital after suffering injuries.

They are Emiliano Islit, 49, the driver, a resident of Barangay Buruun; Arlan Nadayag, 33; Welfredo Teson, 26; Jestoni Cubias, 28; Reneboy Payla, 31; and Johnpaul Nadayag, 25.

Reports said Catubig was going home after finishing his shift when he hitched a ride on the truck coming from the Central Material Recovery Facility in Bonbonon, on the way to the city proper to collect garbage.

Enad said the truck suddenly lost its brakes while traversing the hilly part of the road. To avoid falling down the cliff below, he bumped the dump truck into a slope.

Catubig was stuck between the dump truck’s head and its body that caused his death.

Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz said the local government of Iligan was taking care of the needs of those in the hospital as well as those of the family of the dead worker.