Car driver hurt in SRP tunnel accident

CEBU, Philippines - A 47-year-old man was injured after the car he was driving turned upside down inside the tunnel at the South Road Properties yesterday morning.

Casing Santiago, a resident of Escario Extension, Cebu City, was wounded in his arms and hands following the accident.

He was driving a black Toyota Hilux with plate number YKT-210 from southern Cebu and was passing through the tunnel when he figured in the accident at 10 a.m. yesterday.

City Traffic Operations Management operations chief Joy Tumulak said Santiago’s vehicle first bumped into an electric post upon entering the tunnel before he eventually lost control of it.

The car then went into zigzag direction and hit the wall of the tunnel until it turned upside down.

Tumulak said they have not yet spoken with Santiago following the incident but reports showed that he was driving beyond the required speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour in the tunnel as advised by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Kusog gyud iyang dagan. Sobra sa 60 kph,” Tumulak said.

Santiago was rushed to Chong Hua Hospital and is currently in safe condition, said Tumulak.

Fortunately, no other casualties were reported.

The accident resulted to the closure of the SRP tunnel for almost two hours since 10:20 a.m., said Tumulak.

It was reopened to northbound motorists at 12:12 p.m. after Santiago’s vehicle was pulled out from the area.

“Wa ma’y kaso bahin sa ibabaw sa tunnel going to Malacañang sa Sugbo. Besides, manageable ra ang volume sa mga sakyanan at that time,” Tumulak said.

The CITOM official reminded the public to take extra caution upon entering the SRP tunnel to avoid accidents.

He encouraged motorists to follow the safety regulations in the area such as driving according to the required speed limit, applying brakes and turning on the lights of their cars.

He said that motorists are being reminded every time they enter the tunnel with the signage installed in the area.

“Apply g’yud og brake unya i-switch on ang suga kay naay tendency na hayag tan-awon sa gawas pero igdayon sud mokalit lang og ngitngit. Unya hinay lang og padagan,” Tumulak advised. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)