Mishaps kill girl, 5; injures 15 others

CEBU, Philippines - A 5-year-old girl died after she was hit by a speeding vehicle in Sta. Fe while 15 others were injured in a separate vehicular accident in the town of Balamban last Thursday.

Sarah Mae Cabrera, of Sitio Machamban, Barangay Okoy died due to severe injuries an hour later at the Bantayan District Hospital where she was taken after she was hit by the vehicle driven by a maintenance superintendent of the Bantayan Island Power Corporation.

Cabrera was about to go to her mother, who was selling soft drinks at that time along the National Highway of Sitio Sta. Fe Heights, Barangay Pooc, when she was hit by the vehicle.

Senior Police Officer 1 Shiela Illustrisimo said that Cabrera suddenly crossed the road when she was hit by Ceth Bitoon, 33, of Barangay Poblacion, Compostela who was on board her Toyota Revo bearing GTH-114.

Illustrisimo said that Bitoon was heading to Bantayan town from the Sta. Fe wharf and did not notice the girl running across the road.

Bitoon tried to rush Cabrera to the Bantayan District Hospital but the latter eventually died.

The lady driver who surrendered to the Bantayan Police Station was only detained for a night after she tried to amicably settle what happened with the parents of the kid. She was released yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, 15 persons were injured including the driver when the vehicle they were riding rammed a Star Apple tree, locally known as Caimito, before it fell off a cliff along the barangay road of Cantibas, Balamban at around 9:00 in the evening.

The injured victims were taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center while some remained at the Balamban District Hospital.

The group, who were all neighbors, was heading to Barangay Poblacion to watch a presentation of “Balamban’s Got Talent” because one of their companions joined the contest.

They were all onboard a blue-colored pick up type multicab bearing GMF-702 driven by Sabalande.

Police Officer 2 Hannibal Larida said that when the vehicle was traveling downhill and reached a dim portion of the road, it suddenly rammed into a Star Apple tree which made Sabalande lose control of the vehicle causing it to fell off a cliff about 10-meter deep.

Larida said the vehicle landed on its left side causing all passengers to sustain injuries.

Victims claimed that Sabalande was under the influence of liquor because he had been drinking liquor while still in his house.

Police said they are still waiting for victims to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple physical injuries against Sabalande who is still in confined at the hospital. (FREEMAN)