Guihulngan city: A government employee lost their life and three colleagues were injured when a government-owned commuter van crashed into trees after losing its brakes in Barangay Malusay, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Col. Romeo Cubo, the chief of the Guihulngan City Police Station, reported that the van's occupants were all employees of the Pag-IBIG Fund. The initial investigation by police revealed that the van was en route from Sitio Palao in Barangay Malusay to the Guihulngan City proper around 2 p.m. when the brakes reportedly failed while the vehicle was negotiating a curve.

The driver, who managed to alert the passengers about the brake failure, eventually lost control of the van, resulting in a collision with gmelina and coconut trees along the roadside. The passenger seated next to the driver suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Guihulngan District Hospital.

"The driver informed the passengers of the brake failure, and it was reported that the passenger beside him attempted to jump from the vehicle," Lt. Col. Cubo stated.

The driver, along with the two other passengers seated in the rear of the van, sustained injuries and are currently under medical observation at the hospital. The deceased individual was a resident of Dumaguete City, while the surviving passengers are from Cebu. Authorities have not released their identities as they await notification of the victim's family.

Lt. Col. Cubo mentioned that police are waiting for the arrival of the victim's relatives to claim the body.