6 killed as van hits cargo truck in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY — At least six persons were killed, including a minor, in a highway accident in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao on Sunday afternoon, after a speeding passenger van hit a cargo truck.

Traffic investigators of Datu Odin Sinsuat police office said the accident happened at 2:30 p.m. along the national highway in Barangay Pinguiaman, Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Idris Simpan, a resident of Barangay Pinguiaman, said the speeding van sideswiped a dump truck loaded with sand and gravel.

“We saw four persons dead on the spot due to head injuries,” Simpan said. “They were those sitting at the back of the driver,” he added.

The passenger van and truck drivers were also injured and were rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center along with other injured passengers.

Police were still investigating the accident as of Sunday night, after several passengers told traffic probers the unidentified van driver was busy using his mobile phone shortly before the collision.  SFM