NEWS

4 dead, 2 kids hurt in Iloilo mishap

Rey Bancod

A tricycle carrying six passengers was rammed by a speeding pickup truck Friday night, killing four of the occupants, including a family of three in Iloilo.

The accident took place under driving rains along the national highway in Barangay Oyunga at past 8 p.m.

Police identified the fatalities as Bien Estorpe, the 49-year-old tricycle driver, his wife Arlene, a 50-year-old teacher, and Arbie, their 10-year-old son.

Also dead on the spot was Helen Sedicol Olaguer, also a 45-year-old teacher at Igdulaca elementary school.

Olaguer's children, five-year-old Alaysa and 10-year-old Lance survived the collision after their mother reportedly threw them out of the tricycle in an attempt to save them.

The two survivors suffered deep cuts and were brought to the hospital.

Noel Tactica, the 25-year-old truck driver, surrendered to the police.

The victims had just come from the town of Miag-ao where Arlene Estorpe had her regular checkup.

Relatives said all six had dinner at a 7-11 convenience store before heading home to Barangay Igdulaca, about an hour's drive from Miagao.

As pieced together by relatives, the truck hit the tricycle from behind, dragging it several meters before it made a complete stop.

The scattered bodies were retrieved and brought to the nearest funeral parlor before their transfer to their homes on Monday.