Overloaded truck spills 50 intern students onto a highway in Bukidnon

MARAMAG, Bukidnon — Four on-the-job training (OJT) students were hospitalized, including one in the intensive care unit (ICU), after they and dozens of others fell from an overloaded Elf truck along the Lumbo–Dologon national highway here on a rainy Wednesday evening, July 15.

The accident occurred in front of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bukidnon Second District Engineering Field Office.

The truck’s drop-side lock reportedly gave way, causing passengers riding at the back to fall onto the highway.Master Sgt. Sheilder Abellanosa, investigator of the Maramag Municipal Police Station, said about 50 intern students were riding on the truck.

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The victims were hitching a ride from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at the Central Mindanao University (CMU) Dairy Farm, where they were undergoing their OJT training.

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The students were on the way back to the CMU campus where they are temporarily staying.

Abellanosa said the driver accommodated the students out of compassion because of the heavy rain.

With the truck overloaded, the drop-side unexpectedly opened while the vehicle was in motion.

“Even if the driver acted out of goodwill to help the students, he was operating an overloaded vehicle, and is legally responsible for the safety of all passengers under his care,” Abellanosa said.

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Most of the passengers sustained minor injuries and have since been treated and discharged.

However, four students remained confined in the hospital, including one in critical condition in the ICU.

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Initial reports identified the victims as students of Central Mindanao University, but CMU officials clarified that none of those involved were enrolled at the university.

Information obtained by the Inquirer showed that the injured are students of Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

They are reportedly from the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences and were assigned to the CMU Dairy Farm for their OJT.

DOrSU President Dr. Roy Ponse traveled to Bukidnon to personally check on the conditions of the injured students.

Police reminded students to avoid hitching rides on open cargo trucks.

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They also urged motorists to avoid overloading their vehicles, stressing that safety should always take precedence even when extending assistance during emergencies or out of compassion. /apl