TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Police on Monday, October 2, said one of the passenger vans that figured in crash in Cagayan on Sunday, October 1, was overloaded and overspeeding when its tire blew out.
Police Senior Inspector Manuel Viloria, Amulung town police chief, told The Northern Forum that the Isuzu van, driven by Romtum Bartolome, was carrying 24 passengers, a number more than its capacity of 16.
The fatal crash claimed the lives of five women and injured 29 passengers, including the two drivers.
“Nasa kanya (Isuzu van driver) ‘yung fault dahil iyong Toyota driver ay nasa kanyang lane at normal speed naman,” Viloria said in a phone interview.
Initial investigations showed the Isuzu van was heading to Baggao town when its tire blew out and hit an approaching Toyota passenger van in Barangay Baculud in Amulung around 10 am on Sunday.
Viloria said the long skid mark of the said van also indicated that it was speeding before the crash.
No passenger died on the spot and all of them were brought to a hospital in Tuguegarao for treatment.
The wounded victims are now being treated in Cagayan Valley Medical Center and Divine Mercy Wellness Center in Tuguegarao, a source said. Northernforum.net
