Trahedya sa Zamboanga: Dump truck, sumalpok sa puno; driver at pahinante, patay

- A dump truck accident on Friday afternoon, May 30, 2025, on Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat Highway in Zamboanga City resulted in the deaths of its driver and helper

- The dump truck’s crash into the tree also caused one bystander to sustain injuries

- Police investigations suggest that a sudden tire blowout caused the heavily laden dump truck to lose control while descending a downhill section of the highway, leading to its violent collision with a tree

- The out-of-control truck not only crashed into a tree but also impacted several parked vehicles and a portion of a house's kitchen, scattering its soil cargo across the road

A dump truck accident in Zamboanga City on Friday afternoon tragically claimed the lives of both its driver and helper, and left one bystander injured, after the vehicle lost control and crashed into a tree.

The incident, which occurred on the Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat (MCLL) Highway, sent shockwaves through the local community.

The fatal crash transpired around 3:35 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Barangay Victoria.

According to a report by Efren Mamac of GMA Regional TV on 24 Oras Weekend, the dump truck, heavily laden with soil, was traversing a downhill section of the highway, descending from Barangay Lamisahan towards Barangay Victoria, when disaster struck.

Initial police investigations indicate that a sudden tire blowout on the heavily loaded vehicle led to the driver losing control.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage captured by residents in the aftermath of the crash revealed the sheer force of the impact.

The truck veered off the road and violently collided with a large tree, causing extensive damage to the vehicle.

The soil it was carrying spilled across the highway, and the out-of-control truck also impacted several parked vehicles and even a portion of a house's kitchen in its destructive path.

The Zamboanga City Police reported that the 46-year-old male driver was found trapped in the front seat of the mangled truck, while his helper was rendered unconscious.

Emergency rescue teams swiftly responded to the scene, extracting the victims and rushing them to a nearby hospital.

However, both the driver and his helper were declared dead on arrival by medical personnel.

A male resident who was standing nearby also sustained minor injuries after being struck by some of the truck's cargo that scattered upon impact.

The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with heavy vehicle operations, particularly when traversing challenging terrains or carrying significant loads.

Police officials continue to investigate the precise sequence of events leading to the tire blowout and subsequent loss of control, though the initial findings point to this mechanical failure as the primary cause.

GMA Regional TV is reportedly attempting to reach out to the victims' families and those affected by the incident for their statements.

The local authorities are expected to ensure a thorough investigation to prevent similar tragedies in the future and to provide support to those impacted by this unfortunate event.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a 63-year-old man was killed after being hit by a motorcycle while returning to his tricycle after urinating on the roadside in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. The incident happened around 1:20 a.m. Thursday along the national highway in Barangay Puspus. Both motorcycle riders were injured; neither was wearing a helmet, and both were allegedly under the influence of alcohol. “Ipinagbabawal ang pag-inom ng alak bago mag-drive… para hindi makapandamay ng kung sinu-sino,” said Lt. Reynaldo Reynon.

Still in other news, a 67-year-old man in Abucay, Bataan was arrested for allegedly using his pet dog as a firing target. Police recovered an undocumented firearm and ammunition from the suspect’s possession. The suspect did not issue a statement and is facing multiple complaints, including possible animal cruelty charges. Authorities are still investigating the incident and have yet to determine the condition or fate of the dog.

Source: KAMI.com.gh