Truck falls into river; 4 killed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four people including a village chief were killed while 12 others were injured when a truck fell into a river in La Libertad, Zamboanga del Norte on Monday.

The fatalities were identified as Nicanor Alfuro Jr., his wife Michelle, their son Nithan and a certain Roxanne Calibugan.

Alfuro was chief of Barangay Senote in Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Reports said the victims, who were residents of Barangay Senote, were on their way home when their truck fell into the Dapitan River in Barangay El Paraiso at around 3 p.m.

Police said the truck was a rescue vehicle owned by the municipal government of Dumingag.

The victims reportedly came from a fellowship gathering in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

Investigation showed the truck was approaching the spillway when one of its wheels fell off the edge, causing the driver to lose control of the wheel.

The bodies of two victims were retrieved from the river three hours after the accident. Two others were declared dead on arrival at the Piñan District Hospital.