7 dead in Batangas vehicular mishap

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Seven people died while two others were injured in a road accident involving a tricycle, a Honda sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a coaster bus in San Juan, Batangas on Tuesday afternoon.

The fatalities and the injured victims were passengers of the tricycle that was reportedly hit by the SUV that attempted to overtake the coaster in Barangay Abung.

Five of the fatalities – Lerio Abanilla, 42; Irene Barlos, 48; Diana Dolon, 41; Shaina Lyka Dolon, 22, and John Kratos Malapitan, 13 – were declared dead on arrival at the San Juan District Hospital and San Juan Doctors’ Hospital.

Two others – Irene Salve Barlos, 48, and Erica Malco, 9 – were declared dead on arrival at the Batangas Medical Center and Candelaria Doctors Hospital, respectively.

The injured victims – Elvira Gonzales, 62, and Nathan Malapitan, 2 – were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

Responding police officers brought the drivers of the SUV and the coaster to the police station for questioning.

Reports said the Honda and the coaster were headed south when the SUV, driven by an elderly woman, reportedly tried to overtake, causing it to hit the approaching tricycle carrying eight people.

The impact threw the passengers off the tricycle. They landed on the path of the coaster, which reportedly ran over them after the driver failed to step on the brakes.