BRIDGE IN ISABELA COLLAPSES, 6 HURT

SIX people, including a boy, on Thursday night were injured when a newly-opened bridge connecting Cabagan and Santa Maria towns in Isabela collapsed.

According to the Cabagan Rescue Team 911, five of the victims sustained minor injuries and were treated at the Milagros Albano District Hospital in the municipality.

The sixth victim, a boy, suffered serious  injuries in the head and body, and was rushed to  the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

Initial probe showed four vehicles — two sports utility vehicles, a motorcycle and a dump truck loaded with stones -were crossing the bridge when the incident happened at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

The vehicles and the occupants fell into the shallow river below.

Responding policemen and emergency teams brought the victims to the hospital for treatment.

Traffic was rerouted to alternative roads to prevent congestion. 

Following the collapse, the dump truck driver and his helper were nowhere to be found.

It was learned that only light vehicles were allowed to cross the newly-opened bridge.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is investigating the bridge’ collapse.