3 dead, 9 hurt as train hits car in Quezon

MANILA, Philippines – Three persons, including a five-year-old girl, were killed and nine others sustained injuries when the Toyota Innova they were riding was hit by an approaching train in Candelaria, Quezon yesterday morning.

Superintendent Artemio Bantayan, Candelaria police chief, said two of the fatalities, Nancy Carasig and Quesia Nicole Marti, 5, both died on the spot, while the third, Paula Carasig, 17, was pronounced dead in the hospital.

Police said the victims’ Toyota Innova was maneuvering through the Philippine National Railways’ railroad crossing in Barangay Masin, Candelaria town when the approaching train struck its right-front side. 

Police quoted PNR flagman Christian Rusan as saying that he had signaled to all incoming vehicles that there was an approaching northbound train, and all vehicles stopped, except the Toyota Innova. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ed Amoroso, Michelle Zoleta