A tricycle attempting to cross the railroad tracks in Barangay Market Site, Daraga, Albay, was struck by a train.
The impact caused the tricycle to be thrown into a parked pick-up vehicle.
The train was traveling to Legazpi City from Naga City.
The 21-year-old driver of the tricycle was unharmed.
Police said the tricycle driver did not hear the train's horn.
"Base saiya [driver kan tricycle] sabi daa niya, dae niya nadangog su busina kan tren, pero imposible man yan eh kasi an tren kaya harayo pa sana nagbubusina na yan, o baka lang talaga dae niya nariparo," PCMS Junny Mabini, Chief Traffic Investigator of Daraga Municipal Police Station (MPS), said.
According to the police, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) bears no liability for the incident.
"Ang sabi kan PNR, 'Dae man kami diyan sir ki pananagutan,' kasi right of way talaga ninda ito. Ngunian kumbinsido man su duwang parte, su maysadiri kan tricycle tapos su maysadiri man kan auto, kaya sindang duwa nalang nag-uron," Mabini said.
The tricycle driver and the pick-up owner have agreed that the tricycle driver will cover the repair costs for the damaged vehicle.
Authorities urged residents and motorists to be extra careful when crossing railroad tracks, especially during train schedules, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Another incident occurred in Camalig, Albay where three individuals, including a minor, were injured after the train hit the tricycle they were riding in Barangay Taladong.
DIALOGUE
To address issues of accidents and right of way, PNR convened a dialogue with local governments and barangays along its routes in Camarines Sur up to Legazpi City.
PNR officials, along with teams from Metro Manila, visited key areas to discuss improvements needed to prevent accidents.
They also conducted clearing operations along the railway's right of ways and identified steps to protect families nearby.
"So ang pakiulay ta po sa mga barangay na tabangan po si PNR na i-man po su mga crossing na yaon sainda, ta igwa po nin mga saradit na crossing, may mga darakula; and ang kaipuhan ta po diyan [ay] si magbantay din si mga barangay na maapektuhan kan mga aksidente," Atty. Celeste D. Lauta, Officer in Charge and General Manager of PNR Bicol, said.
To enhance safety, barangay watchmen are now stationed to monitor railway crossings during train operations. This aims to prevent accidents caused by unauthorized activities near the tracks.
"May pito palang ang tren magirilid na po ang mga constituentes, ta diyan tanganing mayo pong mangyaring disgrasya, saka ito pong mga nagpa-park sa mga gilid kan riles, dae po talaga sinda magpararani," Winnie Guererro, Barangay Captain of Capucnasan, Milaor, Camarines Sur, said.
Based on PNR standards, a minimum distance of 30 meters from the center of the tracks to any structure or establishment is required to ensure safety during train passages.
