By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
TARLAC CITY — Five individuals were killed and nine others —most of them merchandisers— were injured when a Hyundai H100 van crashed into roadside railings along the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) in Barangay Amucao, Tarlac City, on Tuesday morning, August 12.
According to the La Paz Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the vehicle, carrying 14 passengers, was en route to Concepcion, Tarlac from Cabanatuan City when the accident occurred.
Of the injured, three sustained serious injuries while six others suffered minor wounds.
Emergency responders from the La Paz MDRRMO were immediately dispatched to the scene, with additional support from the Provincial DRRMO, Tarlac City DRRMO, and the Philippine Red Cross Tarlac Chapter at around 7:30 a.m.
Emmanuel Ignacio, operations head of the La Paz MDRRMO, confirmed that most of the passengers were merchandisers.
One survivor recounted, “Sinabi na namin na mabilis masyado ang takbo niya, hanggang sa bumangga na sa railings,” describing the vehicle’s excessive speed before it slammed into the expressway railings.
