Two siblings killed, five hurt in Ayungon hearse crash

BACOLOD CITY – Two siblings were killed and five other people were injured when their motorcycle collided with a hearse carrying a casket in Barangay Iniban, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, on Wednesday night.

Police Master Sgt. Archie Ferreron, the case investigator at the Ayungon Municipal Police Station, identified the fatalities as a 22-year-old graduating criminology student and his 16-year-old sister, a Grade 11 student.

Both were residents of Barangay Iniban.

The crash injured the 53-year-old hearse driver, his 26-year-old helper and three pedestrians: a 53-year-old woman, her 22-year-old son and a 16-year-old girl.

Ferreron said the siblings were on their way home from buying rice for dinner when the collision happened at about 9:15 p.m.

They were about to turn left when they were hit and dragged about 40 meters from the point of impact, he said.

Based on skid marks at the scene, Ferreron said the hearse might have been speeding.

The van, which had come from Tayasan, then swerved to the roadside and hit the three pedestrians.

The siblings died at the scene.

“Very strong talaga ang impact,” Ferreron said.

All five injured people were taken to a hospital.

Ferreron said the siblings’ family and the funeral home’s management had initially met, with the latter offering burial assistance.

Police had yet to receive an update on whether medical assistance was also extended to the injured pedestrians, he added.

In a Facebook post, Ayungon National High School mourned the loss of two students in the crash.

“Their untimely passing has left a deep void in the hearts of their families, friends, classmates, teachers, and everyone who knew and loved them,” the school stated.

The school also asked the public to remember two former students who were involved in the crash and were recuperating in the hospital.

“In this difficult time, we stand together as one school community, sharing in the grief of the bereaved families and extending our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt support to everyone affected by this tragedy,” the school said.