9 hurt in NAIA runway mishap

Nine persons were seriously hurt when a pick-up truck turned over several times after the driver lost control along a runway inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) complex yesterday morning.

Airport Police Department (APD) traffic division officer-in-charge Lt. Ramon Carbonnel said the injured were identified as driver Merlino Espinosa and grass cutters Allan Mamon, Aladino Tapiong, Ignacio Ponpon, Roel Ruffy, Jerry Erispe, Roberto Enrique, Romulo Diaz and Rey Bustamante.

All are employees of a landscaping company contracted to do work at the NAIA complex.

They were rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City and the Olivarez Hospital in Parañaque.

The workers sustained various injuries, including dislocation of bones, fractures, hematoma, lacerations and abrasions.

As of press time, Mamon and Tapiong were still unconscious.

An accident report submitted by Dr. Reynaldo Sanchez of the Manila International Airport Authority medical division said that at around 7:55 a.m. an emergency call was received at the ramp clinic.

The report said a vehicle, a white Kia pick-up truck with plate number WCC-719, was involved in an accident in front of Perimeter Fence No. 3690.

Carbonnel said the driver told police investigators that he lost control of the vehicle when his legs developed cramps. Police said that the driver lost control during a turn.

Police said the truck turned over several times, throwing off several workers from the vehicle. – Sandy Araneta