Cargo truck falls off cliff in Quezon; 4 dead

Police who responded to an accident where two people were burned to death when the truck they were on fell into a steep cliff in Quezon province Saturday are still finding out if there are other victims trapped inside. Contributed photo

LUCENA CITY – Four passengers of a cargo truck died when their vehicle caught fire after it accidentally fell into a 40 feet cliff in Atimonan town in Quezon province early Saturday, police said.

Authorities initially found two charred bodies, and then two more later on inside the ill-fated vehicle.

Earlier, Chief Insp. Michael Encio, Atimonan police chief, said in a phone interview that, “At least two were confirmed dead and burned beyond recognition. We’re still searching for other victims if there are any.”

The four victims were identified as alternate drivers Juric Jandoc, 36, and Rolando Salvia, 36; helpers John Rey Dela Cruz, 19; and Ronie Boy Malanot, 26.

A police report said a Bicol-bound ten-wheeler aluminum closed van was negotiating the curved descending section of the diversion road in Barangay (village) Malinao Ilaya around 3:45 a.m. when its driver lost control of the vehicle that accidentally fell into a ridge 40 feet below.

The report said the ill-fated truck caught fire and burned all its passengers trapped inside the vehicle.

Encio said investigation was ongoing.

Police described the section of the diversion road as “dangerous.”

Last month, four people were injured when a Bicol-bound trailer truck also fell into a 15-foot ravine in the same village. /lb/kga