A LATE-NIGHT commute turned fatal on Sunday when a tree, uprooted by heavy rains, crushed a moving tricycle in Barangay Upper Ilang, leaving the driver dead and his three passengers hospitalized.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Feb. 22, according to the police blotter report.
The victim, identified as Alias Rodolfo, 45, was driving his Bajaj tricycle heading west along the Barangay Ilang road.
As the vehicle navigated the rainy conditions, a large Balete tree on the left side of the road suddenly uprooted, pinning the tricycle underneath.
Emergency responders from Central 911 arrived on the scene to find Rodulfo trapped under the heavy timber.
Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the attending physician.
The three passengers, all residents of Barangay Mudiang in the Bunawan District, survived the impact but sustained various injuries: alias Rose, 19; alias Jessica, 31; and alias Carl, 18.
Rescue volunteers initially treated the victims before transporting them to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for further medical attention.
Initial investigation led by PMSg Marven Tabigue suggested that the saturated soil from the continuous rainfall likely weakened the Balete tree’s roots, causing the trunk to collapse.
Local authorities reminded residents to exercise extreme caution when traveling during bad weather, particularly on roads flanked by aging trees.
