1 dead as car falls into Pasig River

MANILA, Philippines – A 27-year-old employee of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) died in the Toyota Vios he was driving after it plunged into the Pasig River in Makati City early yesterday.

Jose Mari Garcia del Rosario was on his way to Pateros from Manila and was cruising along J.P. Rizal street near the Guadalupe Bliss Compound at around 5:35 a.m. when he suddenly lost control and the car fell into the river, according to a report reaching the Makati police.

Del Rosario was still strapped in the driver’s seat of the Vios (UGI-432) when his body was found.

His passenger, Robert Rillera, managed to get out of the car as it slowly sank into the river.

Meralco crew retrieved the car from the river at around 9 a.m.

The Makati traffic police is still investigating the accident.