DAVAO CITY, Philippines — In a tragic incident, six members of the Ata-Manobo tribe, including three minors, lost their lives when the truck they were riding in lost its brakes and plunged into a creek.
The accident occurred at around 9:30 AM on Sunday, June 23, 2024, on a curvy and slippery road in Purok 11, Lower Misolong, Barangay Santo Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
According to Police Corporal Semblante, who spoke to Newsline this morning, five of the passengers, including three minors and two adults, died instantly at the scene. Another passenger, a four-year-old child, succumbed to injuries while in hospital confinement.
Corporal Semblante, the investigator assigned to the case, revealed that the driver attempted to maneuver the vehicle after realizing the brakes had failed. Despite his efforts, the truck crashed, leading to the fatal accident.
“The passengers, all relatives belonging to the Ata-Manobo tribe, were en route to Barangay Pindasan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, to enjoy a day at the beach,” Semblante said. “However, the malfunctioning brakes caused the truck to lose control on a sharp curve, resulting in the deaths.”
The victims, whose identities have not been disclosed by the police, were rushed to a nearby hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
The accident showed the dangers of vehicle malfunctions, especially on treacherous roads, and showed the need for strict vehicle maintenance to prevent such devastating occurrences.
