FIVE people, including a 10-year-old girl were killed while nine others were injured when the driver of a truck they were riding lost control of the steering wheel, causing it to crash into an electric post along the highway in Zamboanga peninsula Wednesday.
Police officer Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office-9 spokesman, said the incident took place at the national highway in Katipunan, RT Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay at about 3:30 p.m.
Alabata said two of the victims, including the truck driver, died on the spot while the three others who were rushed to a nearby hospital were declared dead by attending physicians.
The dead victims were identified as Cardo Cortez, 50, driver; Paterno Endrina, 70, Wengilyn Casipong, 47, Reynan Beniares, 30, and Romelyn Cortez, 10.
The wounded passengers were Enriqueta Cortez, 49, Roger Cortez 32, Anthony Cortez 12, all residents of Bucoy Drive, Brgy Divisoria; Jason Suringa 16, Jomaril Anduha, 17, Jordan Banga, 18, Jaime Montecalbo, 19, all of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay; Laurence Casipong, 51, Fiona Casipong, 7, and Paterno Enrina, 70, all residents of Barangay New Sagay.
The passengers were occupants of a white and green Isuzu six-wheeler drop side truck bound for Malubal RT Lim, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Initial investigation revealed the truck was negotiating a winding road in Malubal when the driver lost control of the steering wheel and smashed into a concrete electric post of the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (Zamsureco).
On impact, the truck rolled to the right side of the road and turned upside down, killing driver Cortez and Endrina on the spot.
The wounded passengers are confined at the Ipil Provincial Hospital.