One killed, eight hurt in vehicular accidents

CEBU, Philippines – Two men died while seven others were injured, including four minors, in two separate vehicular accidents that happened in the towns of Balamban and Oslob on Monday.

In Balamban, Danilo Cortez, 38, a trisikad driver, resident of Barangay Nangka, died after his vehicle was hit by a speeding motorcycle driven by Recesio Mangitngit, 30, of Barangay Baliwagan. 

The victim died of severe injuries in the different parts of his body after he was thrown away and pinned down under his trisikad.

PO2 Cesar Climaco, duty desk officer of Balamban Police Station said at around 9:50 p.m., before the accident happened, Mangitngit was tailing the trisikad of Cortez.

Mangitngit then allegedly attempted to overtake Cortez but did not succeed since another vehicle was traveling on the opposite lane. When Mangitngit tried to go back to his lane, he reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and accidentally bumped into Cortez who was about to take a turn in Sitio Lamac.

Because of the impact, the trisikad allegedly turned turtle and landed on Cortez who at that time was already sprawled on the road.

Both drivers were brought to the Balamban District Hospital but Cortez was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mangitngit was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City due serious injuries he sustained.

Climaco said they have received information that Mangitngit died yesterday morning but he added they could not confirm it yet as they have not received any confirmation from the family of Mangitngit.

The police said Mangitngit sustained severe injuries in the head as he was not wearing a helmet when the accident happened.

Meanwhile, a tricycle driver and his six passengers also landed at the hospital after they figured in another vehicular accident along the national highway of Barangay Lagunde, Oslob town Monday morning.

Those injured were tricycle driver, Marlon Rodriguez, 32, of Barangay Pungtod and his passengers identified as Justine Lacson, 3, of Barangay Bonbon; Jake Clyde Maghanoy, 3, of Barangay Pungtod; Angelie Sejas, 12, Maybelle Gomilao, 13, Greatzyl Benologa, 20, all students of Oslob National High School and Antonia Maghanoy, 60, of Barangay Pungtod.

Police said Rodriguez was driving his black Kawasaki motorcycle with side car and about to overtake a Ceres bus when he accidentally hit another tricycle, driven by Miguelito Pajener, 36, of Barangay Bonbon, which was traveling towards opposite direction.

Rodriguez allegedly failed to notice the coming motorcycle while he was on the process of overtaking the bus.

Rodriguez and his passengers were brought to Oslob District Hospital but due to serious injuries, Sejas and Maghanoy were transferred to VSMMC for further medical treatment. (FREEMAN)