Zambo overloaded jeep crashes, kills 1, wounds over 30 more

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An overloaded jeep crashed on a downhill curve in southern Philippines and killed one passenger and wounded dozens more.

The accident happened in the village of Paniran in Zamboanga del Norte’s Sibuco town with the driver saying he lost his brakes and crashed the jeep carrying over 30 mostly students from Malayal National High School, according to the municipal government, adding the lone fatality was a student.

Photos from the Facebook page of the Sibuco Municipal Information Office show the aftermath of the deadly crash of an overloaded jeep in Zamboanga del Norte province in southern Philippines. 

The victims were heading home when the accident occurred late Monday afternoon, the municipal government reported. The jeep is owned by the Zamboanga City-based D’ Biel Transportation Company, but the firm has not issued any statement.

The identity of the driver was not made public. Video clips and horrifying photos of the crash and wounded students quickly went viral in social media with public comments blaming the tragedy on the recklessness of the driver. 

"Astagfirullah, kawawa naman, basta D' Biel na trauma ako diyan at halos paliparin ang sasakyan kung magmaneho kala mo nasa expressway sila. Inaway ko talaga yun driver kasi kasama ko anak ko baby pa, based on my experience," commeneted Anne Fabiala on the Facebook page of the Sibuco Municipal Information Office.

A photo shared by Alnur Tangkapa on his Facebook page shows eight students hanging by the rear of the jeep before the deadly crash.

The Sibuco Municipal Information Office also released photos – taken by Rosherl Taburnal Lumpapac - of the victims and posted them on its Facebook page, saying one student was killed by the crash. One photo shared by Alnur Tangkapa on his Facebook page showed eight students hanging by the rear of the jeep before the deadly crash. The photo was taken by a passenger of another vehicle following the jeep on the highway.

Police were investigating the accident. (Mindanao Examiner)