1 dead, 4 hurt in weekend tragedy at SLEX

On Nov 24, 2020

A passing cab was among those crushed when a huge steel beam used in the ongoing Skyway Expansion Project at the South Luzon Expressway fell on it and five other vehicles last November 21, 2020 at the East Service, SLEX, Muntinlupa City. Although wounded, the unnamed cab driver survive but not a motorcycle rider who died instantly.

A PASSING motorcycle rider was instantly killed and 4 others on board their vehicles were seriously hurt last Saturday, November 21, 2020, after a crane tilted over before falling into a steel girder that then crashed down to passing vehicles below at the construction site of the northbound lane of the Skyway Extension Project, East Service Road, Muntinlupa City.

“At 8:50 this morning (November 21, 2020), a crane that was being positioned for its next task tilted and fell on the girder spanning the two posts of the north-bound Skyway extension project. “The girder fell on vehicles below, killing at least one and injuring at least four persons who were rushed by ambulances from the Skyway O&M Corporation and EEI to hospitals,” reads part of the statement released by EEI, one of the project’s main contractors.

The accident crushed three motorcycles, a taxi cab and two private vehicles with those on board immediately rushed to separate hospitals for treatment.

The lone fatality was later on identified as ‘Edison Paquibot,’ who was on his way to work when the tragedy struck. He left behind his wife, Marilou and a 4-year old son, other news reports added.

Ramon Ang, chief executive officer of San Miguel Corporation, the main owner of the project, said in a separate statement that they would shoulder all expenses related to the accident that also forced the shutdown of the East Service Road, causing monstrous traffic in the area.

The unnamed operator of the crane, other reports said, was already slapped with a case for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, multiple injuries and damage to properties.

EEI added they are now in the process of reviewing their safety and operating protocols.

“This is an unfortunate and heart-breaking accident that must not happen again,” the company said.