At least 18 people were injured in a road accident involving an elf truck, a shuttle van, and a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

According to the Polomolok Municipal Police, the van was traveling from Tampakan, South Cotabato, carrying 17 passengers including the driver, all residents of Tampakan.

The van first collided with the rear end of the elf truck, then it deflected into the oncoming SUV.

“As per investigation po natin, yung vehicle 1 na sinasabi nating shutle van habang papalapit sa doon sa intersection, nag-collide sa vehicle 2 yung truck canter nag-left turn. Due to that impact, yung vehicle 1 was thrown off its path and collided with vehicle 3 so nabangga nya yung vehicle 3,” Police Regional Office-SOCCSKSARGEN (PRO-12) Spokesperson, Major Rissa Hernaez, said.

Because of the impact, the front portion of the van was wrecked. The driver’s side of the SUV sustained damage while the rear of the elf truck was dented.

All passengers of the van sustained minor injuries.

“Yung 17 victims natin, 5 po doon ay dinala sa hospital for further medical attention. The remaining victims naman po na nag-sustain ng minor injuries ay naging maayos na rin po,” Hernaez said.

Investigation into the incident continues.