American, 10 others hurt in van-truck collision in Aklan

MANILA, Philippines—An elderly American and 10 others were hurt when a passenger van collided with a truck in Nabas, Aklan, on Wednesday, belated police reports said.

Among the injured was William Mitchell, 72, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, and temporarily staying in Boracay Island, according to a report from the Aklan provincial police.

Also injured were van driver Armando Macayan, of Hamtic, Antique, and nine other Filipino passengers.

The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. along the National Road in Barangay Habana just in front of the Habana Elementary School.

Macayan was driving the L300 van (FVZ-742) from Kalibo to Caticlan, Malay, when his vehicle collided head-on with an Isuzu Aluminum Wing Van truck (FWW-551) driven by Joel Tolentino, according to the report.

Investigation indicated that Macayan partially occupied the opposite lane to avoid hitting the “Slow Down” sign in front of the school but failed to return to his lane.

Macayan, Mitchell, and the other van occupants were rushed to the Ibajay District Hospital, but three other passengers had to be transferred to a hospital in Kalibo for further treatment.

Macayan and Tolentino were later brought to the Nabas Police Station for investigation.