Maguikay flyover accident causes 3-hour traffic jam

CEBU, Philippines – For almost three hours, traffic was at a standstill at the Maguikay Flyover in Mandaue City after authorities closed the Cebu City-bound lane where a dump truck hit a motorcycle and then rammed the flyover’s railings at past 5 a.m. yesterday.

According to Dino Bargamento of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue, the truck was left hanging on the railing causing it to block the lane from motorists.

Vehicles travelling from Hi-way Seno towards the north were directed to travel under the flyover and go  straight to the direction of Pacific Mall. “Ang lane nga bound for Cebu kay  occupied man sa truck nga naaksidente,” Bargamento said.

Motorists had to suffer hours of traffic jam, while the truck was being pulled out of the flyover  from a three-hour heavy traffic as the dump truck was pulled out from the flyover.

The traffic management personnel borrowed heavy equipment, particularly a fork lift, from Profoods International, and used this, with a chain, U-Bolt and towing bar in taking out the truck from its precarious position on the flyover’s railings.

Bargamento said they deployed more than ten personnel of TEAM, who manned the traffic and helped in pulling out the truck, which was done at about 9 a.m.

He added that the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 was also notified about the situation of the flyover, a portion of which was damaged by the truck. A meter-long of the railings was damaged and had to be cordoned off from the public.

However, the damage does “not impose much danger” to motorists as it has a gutter preventing vehicles from getting close to the railing, said Bargamento.

According to Police Officer 3 Rolando Gelido, traffic investigator of the Mandaue City Police Office, the Isuzu dump truck driven by Renato Racaza of Jaclupan, Talisay City, counterflowed.

The truck then hit the approaching Honda motorcycle driven by Alexander Curraton, 48, of Cansaga, Consolacion, Cebu, before it rammed on the railings. Racaza allegedly left the scene immediately after the incident.

Senior Police Officer 1 Richard Suycano of the Traffic Management Unit of MCPO, the owner of the dump truck will try to convince Racaza to surrender.

John Raymond Velasquez, truck owner from Talamban, Cebu City, said he will also shoulder the medical expenses of Curraton, and pay for the damages of the latter’s motorcycle and the flyover’s railing.

Racaza meanwhile was expected to face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in  damage to property with physical injury.