15 people hurt as 2 vans collide in ComVal

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines — Fifteen people were injured when two vans collided along the Davao-Agusan highway in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, early Monday, police said.

The drivers of the Toyota Hi-Ace vans were reportedly in serious condition while 13 passengers suffered minor injuries following the accident at Barangay (village) San Jose around 1:40 a.m., said Senior Supt. Albert Ignatius Ferro, Compostela Valley police chief.

Ferro said one of the vehicles with 11 passengers was traveling from Tacloban City and going to General Santos City when upon reaching Purok (Community) 2, San Jose, it was rammed by the other vehicle, which had three people on board.

“The Hi-Ace van from the direction of Davao City suddenly swerved to the opposite lane and collided with the oncoming vehicle,” Ferro told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by text message, adding the driver of the errant vehicle, whom he did not identify might have fallen asleep behind the wheel.

He said the victims were brought to the Compostela Valley Provincial Hospital in Montevista town for treatment. Police are investigating the accident further. SFM