By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 13 people were seriously injured following a multiple-vehicle pile up yesterday afternoon along the Bacolod-Silay Airport access road, part of Barangay Minuluan in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

As of press time, police have yet to release the names of the victims, although it is confirmed two were reported to be in critical condition.

Talisay City traffic investigator, Police Officer 1 Arjun Bautista, said a Bacolod-bound Ford SUV was attempting to overtake a truck loaded with scrap metal.

However, the driver of the SUV miscalculated his speed and distance and attempted to return to the southbound lane in order to avoid incoming traffic. The driver then lost control as he was braking and started to spin, causing him to hit the rear of a truck.

As the SUV spun, it struck a northbound multicab vehicle.

The initial crash turned into a pile up after two other SUVs were caught in the aftermath of the initial crash.

Talisay City rescue units and police immediately responded to the area and, upon arrival, saw some of the victims still strapped to their seats and unable to move as the doors of their vehicles were jammed.

Rescuers used hydraulic rescue tools to free the trapped victims, while the rest were rushed to hospitals in Bacolod City for treatment.

The crash also left the access road impassable to traffic, but was eventually reopened after two hours.

Police are still conducting a further investigation into the incident./DGB, WDJ