A vacation turned into a tragedy after a driver of a Toyota Innova tried to beat a Philippine National Railways train at a railroad crossing at Candelaria in Quezon province.
Driver Jonathan Domingo Agati kept on in trying to pass the crossing in Barangay Masin in Candelaria early Thursday dawn (May 3) even though a train flagman waved a red flag to signal him to stop.
Apparently not seeing the train, Agati tried to overtake some vehicles, which had already stopped to give way for the passing train, which was then heading to Manila from Bicol.
The PNR hit the vehicle on its right side and dragged it for more than 15 meters before coming to a halt. No passengers on the train were hurt.
Meanwhile, three people in the van, including a five-year-old girl, died while nine others were injured.
The fatalities were identified as five-year-old Quesia Nicole Marti and Nancy Oliquiano Carasig who both died on the spot while 21-year-old Paula Oliquiano Carasig succumbed to serious injuries in the hospital.
The injured passengers, aside from Agati, were Jose Marilos Marti, 20; Chrerka Oliquiano Carasig, 23; Cyle Gunson Danzon, 20; Angelor Oliquiano Marti, 20; Nathaniel Marti Bolus, 4; Cedrick Nicolo Marti Bolus, 2; Gabriel Oliqiano Carasig, 21; and Edwin Carasig.
The victims were residents of Bacoor, Cavite and were heading towards Guinobatan, Albay.
Police advised motorists to abide by the ‘stop, look and listen’ instruction along railroad tracks.
