An unidentified man was killed after accidentally being hit in the head by the tailgate of a garbage truck in Pasig City on Thursday, Dec. 14, the Pasig City Police said.
According to PSSgt. Joseph Laguna, the incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. along San Agustin Avenue.
The police investigation said four garbage collectors, who were conducting a clean-up operation in the area, were holding the tailgate of their dump truck open when the victim suddenly approached the back of the truck at the exact moment they let go of the supporting structure holding its tailgate, accidentally hitting the victim on the head.
Due to the weight of the tailgate and force of the impact, the victim died on the spot.
The truck driver immediately reported the incident to the police.
"Hindi ko nakita yung nangyare kasi nasa taas ako ng truck. Nung inangat na yung dump box isasara na yung tailgate pabagsak sumulpot naman yung tao (I did not see what happened because I was on top of the truck. When we raised the dump box to close the tailgate, the man suddenly appeared at the back of the truck where he was hit on the head)," the driver said.
Laguna said the garbage contractor is currently on hold as the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, the garbage collectors sought forgiveness from the family of the victim saying that what happened to him was an accident. They are now in the custody of the police.