Samar road accident leaves woman dead, 7 others hurt

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – A woman died while seven others, including three children, were injured after the passenger van they were on was hit by another vehicle driven by a police officer in Calbayog City, Samar Tuesday morning.

Police identified the fatality as Carlota Dalino, a resident of P-4, Barangay Rawis, Calbayog City.

Those injured were identified as Maridel Planado, 20; Andirill Jane Balile, 4; Analiza Balile, 26; Aura Escodero, 46; Andreign Carl Escodero,9; Enalyn Castañas, 33 and Alfredo Castañas, Jr.5.

Initial investigation showed that the van driven by Pablo Evarrete, Jr., and a resident of P-5, Brgy. San Policarpo of said city, suddenly stopped to unload a passenger along Maharlika Highway at P-3, Barangay Cagsalaosao at about 11 a.m. when it was hit by the vehicle driven by Noel Dura, a resident of Barangay (village) Cagmanipas, and assigned at the Samar Provincial Maneuvering Force Company).

Police said the impact was so strong that the passenger van turned upside down.

All the injured passengers were brought to St. Camillus Hospital for immediate treatment but Dalino was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Both Evarrete, Jr. and Dura were brought to the Calbayog City Police Office for investigation after the incident.  /muf