6 dead, 21 hurt in Zambo del Norte car crash

ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least six people were killed and 21 others, mostly minors, were injured when a mini-truck packed with passengers crashed and overturned Thursday on a highway in Siayan town, Zamboanga del Norte, police said. 

 

Senior Superintendent Edwin Wagan, Zamboanga del Norte Police provincial chief, said the road tragedy occurred about 7:05 a.m. at Barangay Denuyan involving a Mitsubishi jitney locally known as “bongo.”

 

Wagan said the vehicle with plate number KAJ 635 driven by Jayward Arbis Ginggo, 32, was packed with 27 passengers. It came from Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur and was bound for Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte.

 

Some passengers disclosed that the vehicle was overloaded with about 35 persons on board.

 

Wagan said the vehicle was also speeding when it overturned on a curved lane of the national highway.

 

“The driver claimed his vehicle brake malfunctioned and lost control of the vehicle that slammed into the hillside and overturned,” Wagan said.

 

PO2 Armando Pelayo, case investigator, said four of the victims died on the spot while the two others were dead hours after, while undergoing treatment in Sindangan Hospital.

 

Those killed on the spot were identified as Nelson Ecat Deparine, 37; Arnel Otohan Arcilla, 39; Nardo Udtohan Boligao, 48; and Jason Baluro Boligao, 17. They are all residents of Barangay Ditulan, Dumingag. The two others who died at the hospital have yet to be named, said Pelayo.

 

Police said injured victims, including 17 minors, were brought to Sindangan hospital for treatment.

 

Wagan said the driver of the vehicle, who was among those injured, was also brought to the hospital for treatment before he was presented to the police station for proper filing of charges.