The jeepney, after losing its brakes, crashed into two other vehicles before rolling over on its side. (Photo by LEAH AGONOY / Inquirer Mindanao)
PAGADIAN CITY – Eight were killed and 56 were injured as an overloaded passenger jeepney that had lost its brakes crashed into two other vehicles and rolled over in Barangay Dao in Pagadian City on Wednesday.
Five of the passsengers died on the spot, while the others were taken to the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center and other nearby hospital, according to Danny Caballero, a member of the responding team from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
Among the injured was jeepney driver Marlito Padaran, who had a fractured leg.
Three passengers who were severely injured died in the hospital.
The jeepney came from Barangay Cogonan, Labangan town, Zamboanga del Sur, and was traveling through the Zamboanga City-Pagadian City Road when it lost its brakes
Marisa Copat, who saw the incident, said she was driving her motorcycle from Purok Mahayahay, Barangay Dao, when she saw the jeepney going down the road so fast.
Passengers on the jeepney’s roof jumped off the road for safety. Copat said one of those who jumped hit his head on the road.
The jeepney crashed with two other private vehicles before it turned turtle in front of the 9th Regional Community Defense Group camp.
Many of the passengers were reportedly beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who were going to get their cash claims in Pagadian on Thursday.
Zamboanga del Sur Vice Gov. Ace Cerilles posted on his Facebook account that 10 of the passengers were still on critical condition. /atm
Some of the passengers lie on the side of the road shortly after the jeepney crashed into two other vehicles and turned turlte. (Photo from the Facebook account of acting Zamboanga del Sur Vice Gov. Ace Cerilles)
Dr. Rovel Blancia, chief of the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, checks injured patients, including a mother with a six-month old baby. (Photo by LEAH AGONOY / Inquirer Mindanao)