Antipas police chief Police Major Godofredo Tupas II said on Tuesday, March 26, that 16 of the fatalities died on the spot due to the impact and severe burns. Police said only one of the 18 passengers of the van survived.
17 dead in van-truck collision in North Cotabato
At a glance
DAVAO CITY – Seventeen persons were killed when a wayward dump truck rammed a passenger van on the national highway in Antipas, North Cotabato on Monday, March 25.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/25/14-dead-in-van-truck-collision-in-north-cotabato
Police said two of the fatalities were children aged five and six. Four individuals were injured in the incident.
Antipas police chief Police Major Godofredo Tupas II said on Tuesday, March 26, that 16 of the fatalities died on the spot due to the impact and severe burns. Police said only one of the 18 passengers of the van survived.
A ROAD accident in North Cotabato on Holy Monday killed 17 persons. (Photo via Keith Bacongco)
Tupas added that driver of the dump truck apparently lost control and encroached the opposite lane and hit the van head on.
"The van was dragged for about 50 meters and both vehicles rested on a shallow concrete canal. The van caught fire after the fuel tank was damaged," the Antipas police chief said.
Tupas said that the driver admitted that he heard a bang underneath before he lost control of the dump truck. "We suspect that the truck may have lost its brakes but he won't just admit it."
The driver, Edwin Dumapias Nasiad, sustained minor injury along with his helper Wilmark Josol Panoy and another hitch rider of the 10-wheel dump truck.
The dump truck loaded with gravel and sand owned by a private contractor was on its way to Antipas proper while the van was on its way to Kidapawan City.
Responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that the incident took place about 10 kilometers away from the town proper.
Tupas reminded motorists to always ensure the road worthiness of their vehicles before travelling. "Most importantly, let us pray before we leave our homes."