CALBIGA, Samar (July 2, 2024) — At least five people died and two others were critically injured when a self-loader truck rammed into several residential houses in Calbayog City shortly after midnight today.
The vehicle, a self-loader truck with plate number CBE 4321, was driven by a 40-year-old man known as “Chiko,” a resident of Meramon Heights Phase 6 in Caloocan City.
According to a police report from the Calbayog City Police Station, the truck was traveling from Naval, Biliran, along the Maharlika Highway towards Allen, Northern Samar. At approximately 12:05 AM, the truck reportedly lost its brakes upon reaching Brgy. Caglanipao Sur in the Tinambacan District of Calbayog City. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle, which then rammed into seven houses where residents were resting and sleeping.
Five residents were declared dead on arrival at the Calbayog District Hospital. They were identified by the following aliases: John, 64; Lyn, 19; Dud, 35; Gadot, 67; and Ned, 59.
Two others, an 8-year-old girl known as Sha and a 27-year-old woman known as Girly, were critically injured.
The incident damaged a total of seven houses and a parked motorcycle.
The truck driver was arrested at the hospital, and appropriate charges are being prepared.
By Rommel L. Rutor
