1 injured as truck falls off cliff

CEBU, Philippines – A truck boy was injured when the six-wheeler truck he was riding fell off a ravine in Sitio Tiguib, Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City yesterday dawn.

The truck’s driver, Dennis Ebonalo, 37, resident of Camp 4, Talisay City, was able to jump off the truck before it fell, leaving inside Leonardo Villarin, resident of Barangay Buot, Cebu City.

Villarin broke his left leg and injured his chin. He was brought to Talisay City District Hospital and was later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Police Officer 1 Dennis Pasumala of Talisay City Traffic Division said at around 4 a.m. yesterday, the truck, which was loaded with sand and gravel, was traversing towards Barangay Tabunok.

However, as it passed along a steep alternative route in Tiguib, the engine suddenly malfunctioned, prompting the truck to move backwards and to eventually fall.

Motorists going to Toledo City and vice versa temporarily use the alternative route while QM Builders, the contractor of a nearby road widening project, has not yet done. The project is under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Talisay City Councilor Danilo Caballero inspected the accident site and told the contractor, Engr. Alan Quirante, to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Caballero told The FREEMAN that there should be signages, lights and railings along the alternative route.

Quirante said the recommendations of Caballero have been noted and that they will implement them immediately.  Quirante added that it was the first vehicular accident to occur in their project site.