Eight people, including a kindergarten pupil, were killed Thursday morning when a 10-wheeler cargo truck loaded with fertilizers lost its brakes in Barangay Malasila, Makilala, North Cotabato.
Makilala disaster officer Sonny Fontanilla said rescuers recovered eight bodies, including the truck driver, Leopoldo Ibañez and his helper, and a person with disability who was inside a house hit by the vehicle.
The truck plowed through the roadside near Malasila Elementary School before 7 a.m., killing 5-year-old Jeremiah Pamplona, along with his parents as they walked him to school, said Malasila village chair Jeckery Pontesor.
A report released by the Makilala police station at noon said one of the six wounded victims died at a hospital in Kidapawan City.
Police identified the eight fatalities as Joel Pamplona, 35; Christina Pamplona, 37; Jeremiah Pamplona, 5; Leopoldo Ybañez; Benjamin Ganub; Jeralyn Bangcot; Carlo Dejucos, 34; and Jeomar Pagaran Ramirez.
Pontesor said the victims were either pinned beneath the truck or buried under sacks of agricultural fertilizers that spilled during the crash.
Local authorities continue to investigate the incident while assisting the families of the victims. (PNA)
