Fatal flyover crash triggers responder training review
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Mayor Nestor Archival is pushing to review and strengthen the training of barangay responders and emergency vehicle drivers following an ambulance collision on a flyover that killed an 18-year-old student earlier this week.
In an interview on Friday, April 17, Archival said the city government is now reassessing existing protocols and capabilities of frontline responders, particularly those operating ambulances and fire trucks, to prevent similar incidents on the road.
Cebu flyover crash
This comes days after the death of Braille Nichole Kwek, an 18-year-old Mechanical Engineering student, who was killed in a collision involving an ambulance along the Archbishop Reyes Avenue flyover on April 14.
“I am looking into what more we can add, especially in how our drivers handle these situations,” Archival said. He noted that while responders undergo regular training, the city sees room for improvement.
READ: Archival orders probe into ambulance driver in Cebu flyover fatal crash
Archival described the incident as a “serious and tragic case” that has prompted him to take a closer look at how emergency responders, often the first on the scene during crises, operate vehicles under high-pressure conditions.
Aside from ambulances, the mayor said the review would also cover fire truck drivers and other disaster frontliners who routinely navigate large vehicles through busy city roads.
“These are the people on the frontlines. They respond first, and they drive these large vehicles. We need to make sure they are fully equipped, not just in responding to emergencies, but also in ensuring safety on the road,” he said.
Archival: ‘Not an overhaul, but improvement’
Archival clarified that the city is not necessarily looking at a full overhaul of its responder system, but rather targeted improvements to existing training programs.
“It might look like that, but the point is improvement,” he said. He added that Cebu’s responders have generally earned praise from the public in past emergencies, including disasters and fire incidents.
He described the crash as an “isolated case” and said that this was the first fatal incident involving an ambulance that he had encountered in his nine months as mayor.
However, he stressed that even a single fatality warrants action.
“We want to minimize these kinds of incidents, especially those that result in the early loss of young lives,” Archival said.
Visit to wake, assistance extended
Archival said he visited Kwek’s wake on Thursday evening, April 16, where he personally extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
Speaking as both mayor and a parent, he said the loss of a “promising and bright” student deeply resonated with him, especially since Kwek was studying in Cebu City.
Furthermore, the mayor confirmed that the city has begun extending assistance to the victim’s family through the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS), in addition to the personal financial aid he provided.
Investigation ongoing
Meanwhile, Archival said he has yet to visit the detained ambulance driver, who is currently under police custody, as he awaits the results of the ongoing investigation.
Part of the review, Archival added, would include examining the background and experience of emergency vehicle drivers, as well as the circumstances surrounding both the ambulance and the other vehicle involved in the crash.
Initial police findings showed that the ambulance was allegedly counterflowing while transporting a patient when it collided with the victims’ motorcycle.
Kwek died from her injuries, while the 19-year-old driver, Juan Antonio Ladioray, remains in critical condition.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine liability and whether protocol violations were committed.
The mayor further said the city government is focused on ensuring accountability while moving to strengthen safeguards for both responders and the public.
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