8 die as van, truck collide in Quezon province

MANILA, Philippines — Eight members of a family returning home from commemoration of the death anniversary of a relative died when their van collided with a truck in Sariaya, Quezon at dawn yesterday.

Seven others were injured in the accident that occurred at 5:30 a.m. along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Sto. Cristo.

The fatalities were among 24 passengers of the van that was headed for Manila from Bicol, according to Sariaya police chief Lt. Col. Carlo Caceres. They were identified as van driver Eleodoro Bermudo, Jaime Bermudo, Francisco Concepcion, Sarah Concepcion, Sarah Joy Concepcion, Villamor Concepcion, Danilo Dapadap and a two-year-old girl.

Rushed to the hospital for treatment of injuries were Louis Aldea, Gilbert Bermuda, Anjo Caliro, Ariel Caliro, Jomar Caliro, Antero Vergara and truck driver Crisanto Pascual.

Truck helper Ronnel Pascual was not injured in the incident.

Probers said the driver could have fallen asleep as the van was traveling along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Sto. Cristo.

Reports said the van swerved, causing it to collide with the truck.

Eleodoro’s son, Jaime Bermudo, told The STAR that his relatives came from Balatan in Camarines Sur, where they attended the death anniversary of their grandmother last Friday.

He said the van departed Balatan on Saturday afternoon along with another vehicle.