TWO persons were killed while seven others were injured after a delivery truck plunged into a creek along the National Highway in Sitio Plasanon in Barangay Salong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Thursday morning, May 23.
Police identified the fatalities as Jenalie Alfonso, 49, of Barangay 4, Kabankalan City and reported to be the owner of the truck and Antonio Miralles also of Barangay 4, Kabankalan City.
Injured were identified as Alberto Timtim, 36, the driver of the vehicle; Marvin Ballerta, 19; Nelson Barabas, 19; Rene Boy Atong, 20; Manuel Solina, 23; Marjon Marino, 22; and Elmer Moralla, 25, all of Kabankalan City.
Based on eyewitness accounts, around 4:10 a.m. the truck was traveling along the area when it accidentally fell over to the left side of the road and fell in a creek approximately 12 feet in height.
Timtim's leg was crushed in the wreckage, while Alfonso and Miralles were later declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Rescue workers managed to free Timtim in the wreckage three hours after the incident.
Timtim based on police report admitted to be under the influence of liquor at the time of the incident and he fell asleep while driving.
He further stated they were heading to the city's Barangay Tabugon in order to deliver cooking oil and salt.
Police are presently conducting a follow-up investigation to the incident. (TDE)