Police: 8 killed, 18 others hurt in Bukidnon road accident

Eight people were killed while at least 18 others hurt Friday afternoon when a delivery truck fell into a shallow canal along a national highway in Bukidnon in Mindanao, a police report said Saturday. SPO3 Ramon Cajan. Jr., traffic investigator of the Talakag Municipal Police Station, said the fatalities include a three-year old girl identified as Ashley Joy Besto.   Cajan identified the six other fatalities as couple Susan and Ruben Sambile, Enerio Hinganan, school teacher Priscilla Lagat, Joel Victor, and Elpidio Jabay. The truck helper, who also died, was not immediately unidentified.   Citing an initial investigation report, Cajan said the truck was heading towards Cagayan de Oro City to deliver 80 sacks of vegetables when it suddenly lost its brakes.   “Based on our interview with the survivors, the truck was traveling on a downward portion of the national highway when the accident occurred,” said Cajan.   He said the vehicle lost its brakes, making it difficult for driver Timmy Besto to control the truck (KRJ-942) when it reached Sitio San Fermin in Barangay Salukot at about 5 p.m.  Besto, who is among the 18 injured, is the father of the three-year old girl who died on the spot.   “The truck fell on a concrete canal and rolled over two times,” said Cajan. — LBG, GMA News