NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Nine persons died while three others were injured when a passenger van rammed a tree in Matalam, North Cotabato at dawn yesterday.
Eight of the victims died at the scene while one died while being treated in a nearby hospital, according to Chief Inspector Elias Colonia, chief of the Matalam police.
Four of the fatalities were identified as Nor Asan Canda, 28; Lyle Rudolf Octavio, 28; Juliet Debarusan, 40, and Haydee Gobaton, 55.
Responding barangay officials rushed the injured victims to the Cotabato District Hospital.
Witnesses said the Toyota Hi-Ace van (LHM-995) swerved before hitting the tree at around 2:45 a.m. along the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Barangay West Patadon.
Colonia said he believes the driver, identified as Glen Singco, could have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Singco escaped after the accident while fare collector Lebon Policarpio surrendered to the authorities.