ROAD MISHAP. The ill-fated Isuzu cargo truck that carried more than 25 persons en route to Lebak, Sultan Kudarat from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, rests in the middle of the highway after losing its brakes and hitting a road railing on Friday (Nov. 8, 2019). Two died while 24 others were injured in the accident. (Photo courtesy of South Upi MPS)
COTABATO CITY -- Two persons died and at least 24 others were hurt when a cargo truck loaded with passengers lost its brakes and hit the roadside railings in a highway in South Upi, Maguindanao on Friday.
Responding policemen, headed by Maj. Ronald M. de Leon, South Upi town police chief, rushed the victims to a hospital in Barangay Tinaman, South Upi after the 4 p.m. highway mishap.
Reports said the victims were on board an Isuzu Elf cargo truck heading to Lebak, Sultan Kudarat to attend a wedding when the truck lost its brakes while negotiating a curve.
“The driver decided to ram the truck toward the concrete and steel railings to prevent it from falling into a cliff in Sitio Sinako, Barangay Kuya,” de Leon said in a phone interview Saturday.
He initially identified the fatalities only through their first names -- Melanie, 18, and Hadji Abas, 70, both of Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. (PNA)
