INDANAN, Sulu — Fourteen people were injured after a military engineering telescopic crane truck was involved in a serious multi-vehicle collision in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu, on Friday afternoon, July 31.
The accident occurred at approximately 1:35 p.m. along KM 2 in Barangay Kajatian, according to the initial investigation conducted by the Indanan Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Authorities said the military engineering crane truck reportedly suffered a mechanical failure, specifically the loss of its hydraulic braking system, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck subsequently rammed into two Tamaraw utility vehicles and three motorcycles with sidecars (tricycles) traveling or stationed in the area.
The collision left 14 individuals with varying degrees of injuries. Among the victims were passengers aboard a red Tamaraw, drivers of the motorcycles with sidecars, and other civilians who were caught in the incident.
Emergency responders immediately rushed to the scene and transported the injured victims to the Integrated Provincial Health Office – Sulu Provincial Hospital (IPHO-SPH) for immediate medical treatment. As of this writing, authorities have not released detailed information regarding the condition of the injured.
The driver of the military crane truck, identified as an active-duty military personnel assigned to the 545th Engineering Brigade based in Tanduh Bato, Luuk, Sulu, is now under the custody of the Indanan Municipal Police Station while investigators continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police are conducting a thorough investigation to verify whether the reported mechanical defect was solely responsible for the accident or whether other contributing factors were involved. Authorities are also expected to determine any liabilities arising from the incident once the investigation is completed.
The incident highlights the critical importance of regular inspection and maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles, particularly those operating on public roads, to help prevent mechanical failures that could endanger both motorists and pedestrians.
No fatalities have been reported as of the latest police update, while the investigation remains ongoing.