Authorities said a truck driver lost control and collided with a vehicle, which then sideswiped multiple motorcycles on the side of the road. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Red Cross

MANILA (4th UPDATE) -- Four people were killed while 30 others were injured in a road accident on the Aurora Boulevard flyover in Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday, authorities said. 

The incident occurred during rush hour as vehicles were heading downhill, said Transport Management Department (TTMD) head Dexter Cardenas. 

A truck driver lost control and collided with a vehicle, which then sideswiped motorcycles on the side of the road.

The crash involved the truck, a bus, several cars, and 16 motorcycles.

"Yung oras pong ito rush hour po, itong area pong ito mabagal po 'yung takbo, hindi lang po talaga nakayanan nung preno nung trak kaya nagtuloy-tuloy po siya. Sa bigat po nung dala ng trak, hindi niya nakontrol," said PCapt. Napoleon Cabigon, commander of the Quezon City Police District Traffic Sector 3. 

"Tamang andar lang 'yung mga sasakyan nagulat na lang ako biglang ganon. Biglang may sumabog kasunod may sumasadsad na parang bakal, hihinto sana ako, binangga na rin ako," said motorcycle rider James Larry, who was involved in the accident.

Bayan Patroller Jeomar Dalisay, who was at the scene, said some of the victims were seen sprawled on the road, together with several motorcycles that were wrecked.

The fatalities include 3 men and one woman, Cabigon said.

One of the 4 truck helpers said they assisted motorists involved in the accident after their driver fled from the area.

"Nawalan po kami ng preno tapos nasagasaan 'yung ibang motorista. Tinulungan na lang namin 'yung ibang nasagasaan. Tapos 'yung drayber namin nataranta rin, umalis," the truck helper said.  

The truck driver said he rode a tricycle to escape the accident site out of fear. He was later arrested along CP Garcia Avenue. 

He said this was the first time he was involved in an accident in his 5 years of working as a truck driver. 

“Noong pababa na biglang nawalan ng preno. Sa lahat nang nadisgrasya humihingi po ako ng kapatawaran po. Hindi ko po kagustuhan ang nangyari,” he said. 

It took around 6 hours before the vehicles involved in the accident were cleared, allowing the northbound lane of the Aurora Blvd. flyover to reopen to motorists.

To avoid road accidents as Christmas approaches, Cabin reminded motorists, "Kailangan condition ang battery, break tsaka 'yung oil, makina. Iwasan po natin mag-iinom ngayong Pasko. Kamay sa manibela, mata sa kalsada."  

The QCPD is still investigating the incident.