THE body of a 60-year-old man, the driver of an SUV that plunged into a creek in Caloocan City on Monday evening, has been recovered.
Caloocan City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) located the driver’s remains at approximately 10:00 AM today near Sampaguita Bridge in Bagong Silang.
The driver, who was reportedly with his employer at the time of the incident, had called his family for help before his voice became unintelligible. Authorities are continuing their search for the vehicle’s other missing passenger.
Caloocan City Mayor Dale Malapitan stated that the SUV was initially located at Durian Bridge, approximately an hour after it fell into the creek.
However, due to the strong flood current, the vehicle drifted a considerable distance. Mayor Malapitan emphasized the ongoing search for the remaining missing passenger, stating that rescue efforts will continue until all missing persons are found.
He also explained that CCTV footage from the city’s command center captured the incident, allowing for a swift dispatch of rescue teams.
The incident occurred on Doña Aurora Street, which was already impassable due to flooding when the SUV attempted to cross.
The barangay chairman reported this is the second vehicle to fall into the creek at this location, highlighting concerns about the bridge’s safety during heavy rainfall.
The existing barrier is insufficient during periods of deep flooding, and raising it further could exacerbate flooding due to garbage accumulation.
Despite the challenges, barangay tanods work to prevent vehicles from passing through flooded areas. As of 6:00 AM, 2,972 individuals from 980 families have been evacuated due to flooding in Caloocan City, with 39 evacuation centers currently active. All main roads in the city are currently passable.
