VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Five pineapple harvesters were killed after the fruit hauler truck they were riding lost control and crashed in Purok 4, Barangay Lurogan here on Sunday, February 8

The Valencia City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) said the truck was traveling downhill at high speed when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to ram a residential fence and overturn.

Seven people were aboard the truck at the time of the accident. Due to the impact, several workers were thrown off the vehicle.

Three women and two men were pronounced dead by attending physicians at a local hospital where they were brought.

The driver and another worker sustained injuries and were brought to a hospital for treatment.

A passerby who was also struck during the incident was immediately rushed to a hospital in Malaybalay City.

The victims were employees of Mt. Kitanglad Development Corp., a company engaged in pineapple planting and export operations.

Human resources officer Zhaiful Rigor said the truck had just transported newly harvested pineapples from the plantation, noting that work continued despite it being a Sunday. 

He added that the driver was reportedly a substitute or “extra” but declined to provide further details.

Rigor said the deceased workers had been with the company for about two to three years as outsourced personnel. 

The company has extended financial assistance and condolences to the bereaved families.

The names of the victims have yet to be released, but their families have already been notified.

Police and city authorities are investigating to determine the cause of the crash. (Mel N. Velez – @inquirerdotnet)