One person is in critical condition and six others were injured after a fish car from General Santos City rammed a tricycle on the National Highway of Purok 1-A, Brgy. Palian, Tupi, South Cotabato, yesterday, January 12, 2025, at 11:45 AM.
This was confirmed by Police Senior Master Sergeant Rea Luz Gatinao, the spokesperson of Tupi PNP in an interview with Bombo Radyo Koronadal.
Gatinao identified the tricycle occupants as Raul Alvarez, the tricycle driver, 51 years old, and his passengers: Jemma Alvarez, 56 years old, married, and a resident of Purok 1-A, Brgy. Palian, Tupi, South Cotabato; Lea Moren, 51 years old, a resident of Lambutong, Surallah, South Cotabato; and a minor known as alias Roy, a resident of Purok 1, Brgy. Poblacion, Tupi, South Cotabato.
Meanwhile, the occupants of the fish car, a white Toyota Liteace Pick-up, were identified as: Fahad Utto Muhammad, 36 years old, Purok 3 Bamboo, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte; Haron Yusop Guiapal, 40 years old, Mabini St. Pob. 6, Cotabato City; Kadir Baguindang, 24 years old, Poblacion, Cotabato City; and Salud Macalutang, 29 years old, Poblacion, Cotabato City.
According to Brgy. Chairman Jeffrey Agustin of Palian, Tupi, South Cotabato, the fish car was speeding along Brgy. Palian.
It was learned that the fish car’s left tire blew out as early as Brgy. Crossing Rubber, causing the driver to lose control and ram the tricycle.
According to one of the fish car occupants, they felt a sharp object suddenly pierce their tire, which caused it to burst.
Due to the strong impact, both vehicles were thrown into a nearby canal. The fish car overturned, while the tricycle was wrecked.
Authorities immediately responded and rushed the occupants of both vehicles to a hospital for treatment.
The victims sustained minor injuries, while one of the fish car occupants is in critical condition with severe head injuries.
Currently, the fish car occupants have returned to Cotabato City for further medical attention.
Furthermore, a settlement is being arranged between the two parties involved.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Rea Gatinao appealed to everyone to be careful while traveling and to make it a habit to regularly inspect their vehicles before going on a trip.
Authorities continue to urge motorists to install lights and build concrete barriers to reduce the occurrence of accidents in Tupi, South Cotabato.