By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, (PNA) — The death toll in the seven vehicle smash-up along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Atimonan town, Quezon on Saturday morning has now climbed to 20.
Authorities said that the latest fatality was a child who died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gumaca town in Quezon.
Thirty-two persons were also reported injured.
The victims are now undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Gumaca and Pagbilao towns and Lucena City.
The accident occurred at about 1:20 a.m., when a delivery van in front of a “Super Lines” bus heading for Bicol went out of control after its brakes failed.
The Superlines bus hit the delivery van and went out of control, hitting other vehicles on the opposite lane.
Investigation said the smashup occurred at a dark, accident-prone area of the highway. It was also raining at the time.