15 dead, 2 injured in vehicle mishap in Negros Oriental

MANILA (UPDATED) -- Fifteen individuals died in a vehicular mishap along the National Highway of Barangay Bulwang in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental.

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office confirmed the development, Wednesday.

NOPPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar said that three others are also injured.

Based on their initial investigation, the truck was empty but was carrying passengers and was on its way to Bayawan City.

They were allegedly going to buy live hogs in the town and they came from La Libertad.

However, upon reaching the place of the incident, the truck overshot the highway and fell into the ravine.

The 14 individuals died on the spot while the three others were rushed to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

However, Police Maj. Nelson Lamoco, acting chief of Mabinay Police Station, said one of the injured died around 6:45 p.m.

Polinar added the driver survived the incident. They are now conducting a deeper probe on what transpired.

“His statement is that the truck lost its brakes,” said Polinar.

He is now under police custody and will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property.

Lamoco said the incident happened in an accident-prone area.

-- report from Annie Perez