A motorcyle-riding man on his way home died after a truck rammed him from behind while cruising along Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City shortly before dawn Wednesday. The crash also pinned the victim to a parked cable truck ahead of him. The impact cut his body in half.
Police and rescue workers found Wilfredo Gregorio's body underneath the trailer truck that crashed onto him past 4 a.m. along the eastbound lane of the road.
Investigators said that the trailer truck carrying bags of cement accidentally rammed Gregorio's motorcycle from behind. The impact sent the victim speeding toward a truck that was laying down telephone cables inside a manhole.
The crash nearly injured cableman Mark Anthony Arsenio and his co-workers. They were able to jump clear of the incoming truck just in time.
No one among the cable truck's workers were injured.
Trailer truck helper Edwin Perez, meanwhile, suffered an injury after he fell off the vehicle upon impact. Its driver, Fernando Mallare, was also hurt.
Rescuers had to use an electric cutter to pry loose Gregorio's mangled body from the wreckage.
Police said charges of reckles imprudence resulting to homicide will be filed against Mallare.
Experts, meanwhile, warned motorcycle riders to exercise utmost caution whenever on the road especially now that it is the most common vehicle being used by motorists because it consumes less fuel.
The National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association said riders should wear helmets and reflectorized vests especially at night. The best safety tip, however, is to refrain from riding a motorcycle at night.
Miguel Rippol, NAMMSA safety consultant, also said adults should not take children with them on motorcycle rides.
Records from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said that road accidents involving motorcycles rose significantly since 2006.
Compared to 8,898 in 2006, the MMDA said 11,108 motorcycle-related road crashes took place in 2007.
Most of these cases involved riders who were driving under the influence of liquor, the MMDA said. With reports from Dominic Almelor and Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News