THE accident site at Barangay Marilog Hall in Davao City. (DCPO)
DAVAO CITY – The death toll from the truck that rammed a gymnasium in Barangay Marilog here on Saturday has risen to six, police said Tuesday.
The accident orphaned four children whose parents were among the fatalities, police added.
Davao City Police Office spokesperson Police Capt. Hazel Caballero said five people died on the spot, including the truck driver and two helpers.
Police identified the victims as driver Rodrigo Fronda Jr., 40; truck helpers Remarc Banaban, 21, and Lauren Jake Baal, 15, all residents of Panabo City, Davao del Norte; couple Manuel, 37, and Ireen Ongando, 29; and Jose Faustino Gonce, 71, who succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here.
Six others were injured, police said.
The truck was loaded with assorted snack products when it tipped on its right side while negotiating a steep and curved descending portion of the Bukidnon-Davao Highway.
The truck was allegedly traveling at excessive speed going to this city before it tipped over and plowed a portion of the gym and hit parked vehicles.
Police said they are still investigating the incident, including the forensic examination of the truck’s brake, speed analysis, and further interviews among witnesses.
Dozens of people gathered in the gymnasium for a meeting of tricycle drivers and operators when the incident happened.
The incident may have affected the structural integrity of the gymnasium due to the impact.
Police also reported that 23 vehicles – 18 motorcycles; a motorcycle with a sidecar; two motorized tricycles (bao-bao), and two utility vehicles – were hit and suffered significant damage.
The steep and winding sections of the Bukidnon-Davao Highway is a known accident-prone area.
The Ongando couple who were killed left behind children aged 11, eight, five, and one.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office has sent a team to attend to the immediate needs of the orphaned children.
A relative of the couple has signified intention to take care of them.