DAMULOG, Bukidnon – A tragic road accident claimed the lives of three minor cousins after the motorcycle they were riding was run over by a 10-wheeler truck loaded with sugarcane along a curved downhill section of the road in Purok 1, Barangay Anggaan, Damulog, Bukidnon, on Tuesday morning, June 30.
The victims, identified only as cousins aged 16, 13, and 10, were all declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital after sustaining fatal injuries in the crash.
The heartbreaking incident, which occurred at around 8:15 a.m., left the victims’ families devastated as parents and relatives broke down in tears upon learning of the children’s deaths.
According to PCPT Marlon C. Subrian, Officer-in-Charge of the Damulog Municipal Police Station, the three victims were students and were riding a Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle despite being below the legal driving age. Police said the driver had neither a driver’s license nor the legal documents required to operate a motorcycle.
Initial police investigation revealed that the victims were traveling along a downhill and curved stretch of road when they encountered an oncoming 10-wheeler truck transporting sugarcane.
Investigators said the minor driving the motorcycle allegedly panicked upon seeing the truck and lost control of the vehicle. The motorcycle toppled onto the roadway, causing all three riders to fall beneath the truck’s rear wheels.
The victims were crushed by the truck, resulting in their instantaneous deaths.
Police noted that the collision occurred on a curved portion of the road where the motorcycle driver reportedly failed to maintain proper control and lane positioning after becoming startled by the approaching truck.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the truck driver or whether charges will be filed as the investigation into the fatal crash continues.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the dangers of underage driving and the risks posed by allowing minors to operate motor vehicles without proper training, licensing, and road safety awareness.
Police reminded parents and guardians to strictly prohibit children from driving motor vehicles, emphasizing that road safety regulations are designed to prevent tragedies such as this.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the complete circumstances surrounding one of Bukidnon’s deadliest road accidents involving minors this year.