4 killed after truck crashes into 3 motorcycles along Ortigas Ave.

A four-year old boy was among four persons who died after a 16-wheeler truck crashed into three motorcycles at the corner of Ortigas Avenue and Lanuza  Avenue early Sunday morning, the Pasig Police said.

According to Sam Nielsen’s Super Radyo DzBB report, three of the fatalities were members of the same family, including a four-year-old boy.

The other fatality was a driver of another motorcycle.

The Pasig Police said two other victims sustained fractured arms and ribs and are still undergoing medical treatment.

Another victim, also a motorcycle rider, was discharged from the hospital.

The road accident caused heavy traffic in the area.

The 16-wheeler truck was loaded with thousands of sacks of rice,many of which spilled on the road.

The truck driver told investigators he lost his brakes, swerve hard to the right, causing him to ram the motorcycles in front of him before the large vehicle turned on its side.

He is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, multiple serious injuries, and multiple damage to property.

In a 24 Oras Weekend report, the three motorcycles were totally destroyed, including the helmet of a motorcycle rider.

“Nine ang accounted natin (we accounted for nine casualties), all of them were brought to the hospital,” said P/Colonel Hendrix Mangadan, Pasig City chief of police.

Despite the tragedy, some passersby tried to save as much of the spilled rice as they could from the stricken truck.

“Pwede pa po ito. rerebesahin lang po, tatanggalin lang po dumi. Sa mahal po ng bigas eh sayang po,” said one person.

(This is still edible. We just have to clean it. It is such a waste if we let it be, especially with the price of rice in the market.)

Authorities are still investigating the incident. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News