Sixteen-year old Osvaldo Abellanosa, a fourth year high school student from Malaybalay City, died of serious injuries in a hospital here, a few hours after the Nissan Urvan passenger van he and his classmates took collided with a wayward Mitsubishi Canter cargo van.
The van carried 16 passengers and belonged to a convoy of 15 others carrying third and fourth year high school students from San Isidro College in Malaybalay City. The students were on an educational field trip and were bound for downtown Davao City from the Malagos Bird Sanctuary.
Six of Abellanosa’s classmates and two lady teachers were also hurt, Calinan police told MindaNews Saturday.
Seriously hurt were Maderick Reyes, 16 and Vincent Namoc, 16. Those with minor injuries were identified by the police as Roberto Antipasado, Rocky Corona, Romart Aurita and John Angelo Tagra, all 16 years old.
The accompanying teachers were Dona May Macoy and Mona Lisa Cacafranca, both 21 years old. The victims were brought to Davao Doctors' Hospital.
Police investigator PO3 Gerardo Molina said the "panel" cargo van's left front tire exploded causing the vehicle to swerve until it collided with the passenger van.
Molina said the van, owned by merchant firm Datu Complex, was carrying stocks of soap and other goods.
Cargo van driver Noel Table, 26, and passenger van driver Ciriaco Sanchez, 49, are now detained at the Calinan Police Station pending the filing of formal complaints.
