1 killed, 4 hurt in Argao highway accident

CEBU, Philippines - A man was killed while four others were injured in a road accident involving a Ceres bus and an Isuzu Elf mini dump truck along the national highway in Barangay Bogo, Argao Sunday night.

Police said all victims were taken to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital but were later referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

However, 24-year-old Jovani Mier, who sustained serious injuries to different parts of his body, died yesterday morning.

Those injured were identified as Pascual Limando, 35; Jomar Gealon, 24; Edwardo Mier; all of sitio Kalumbuyan; and Miraflor Osayta, 20, of Barangay Hagdan, Oslob.

Report said the Ceres bus, bearing plate number GXB 729 and driven by Robert Doctor, 43, was traveling for Cebu City from Santander at a high speed when its front tire exploded.

This caused Doctor to lose control and sideswiped the dump truck, which was traveling on the opposite lane.

The siding of the dump truck, with plate number YAG 956 and driven by Ritchie Davin Lanticse, 29, was detached, causing damages on the left portion of the bus.

The impact caused injuries to Limando, Jovani, Gealon and Edwardo, who were onboard the truck, and to Osayta who was on the bus. Residents in the area then rushed the victims to the hospital.

Doctor is now detained at the Argao Police Station.   - (THE FREEMAN)