Bridge mysteriously collapses in Pangasinan with two trucks in tow

At least four people were reportedly injured when a bridge in Pangasinan collapsed, bringing two trucks down as they were crossing the structure. 

A section of the President Carlos P. Romulo Bridge, formerly known as the Wawa Bridge that links Bayambang town in Pangasinan and Camiling in Tarlac gave way at around 3:37 p.m. on Thursday, October 20. CCTV footage of the crash showed the two trucks flipping when the structure fell. 

Traffic was light in the area when the incident happened, but four people sustained head injuries and had to be rushed to the hospital. All victims have been declared out of danger. 

No reason was apparent for the bridge’s collapse, pending the results of an ongoing investigation. Unconfirmed reports say that trucks passing through the bridge may have been over the structure’s 20-ton weight limit. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reportedly last inspected the bridge in July this year, following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Abra. 

Four people were rushed to the hospital after sustaining head injuries following the collapse [Image: Bayambang MDRRMO]

According to Bayambang’s official website, local officials are coordinating with the DPWH and other agencies to find alternate routes for vehicles passing through Bayambang from Camiling. 

An eyewitness said that residents heard a loud thud when the bridge fell, adding that many of those who were stranded are students. Authorities have warned people against approaching the bridge after cracks appeared on other parts of the structure. The local government said that Romulo Bridge will be closed until further notice. 

In a Facebook post, Bayambang Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao announced the following alternate routes for light vehicles: 

• Bayambang (via M.H. del Pilar) – Urbiztondo – Mangatarem – Camiling
• Bayambang – Bautista – Alcala – Moncada – Camiling

She also advised that students from Bayambang National High School, Wawa Elementary School, Bayambang Central School, and Pangasinan State University should temporarily have online classes while the bridge is being repaired.  

Built in the early 1990s, the Romulo Bridge is considered a landmark in the area because of its bright red color, traversing the Agno River which separates Barangay Wawa from Barangay San Vicente. 

See more traffic and infrastructure updates at Philkotse.com.