Another hurt in cliff fall: 16 people injured in six-vehicle smashup

CEBU, Philippines - At least 16 people were hurt in a six-vehicle smashup that happened along N. Bacalso Avenue corner Tres de Abril Street around 3 p.m. yesterday, while another person was hurt after a car plunged down a slope in Barangay Busay.

In the first incident at least 16 people, including Yolly Daan, the wife of Cebu board member Julian "Teban" Daan, were injured after a Kaohsiung bus carrying funeral mourners rammed a car that went on to hit another vehicle in a destructive chain reaction.

PO2 Edgardo Becoy of Cebu City Traffic Patrol Group said they have the names of the 16 people initially reported to have been injured and are searching other hospitals for other possible victims.

As per investigation, Becoy said the Kaohsiung Bus, which picked up mourners in Barangay Lawaan 1, Talisay City, suddenly rammed a Toyota Revo in front. Nine people inside the car sustained minor head injuries, cuts and bruises, he said.

The Kaohsiung bus and the Revo was  part of the convoy of cars that were ferrying people to the funeral of a lay minister. The convoy was bound for the Queen City Gardens in the North Reclamation Area.

Bus driver Bryan Quimada said the Revo, which was driven by Rogelio Pabroa, suddenly stopped, which prompted him to brake.

He was too late and still rammed the rear of the Revo. Quimada denied driving the bus fast.

Due to the impact, the Revo hit a multicab ahead of him, which then hit a Mitsubishi Montero, where Daan was aboard. Daan said she only suffered a cut in her eyelid, she said was not even sure how it happened.

"Kung wa pa to naliwag, aw wa ta kahibawo simbako lang. Sagdi na lang ang sakyanan pero grabe kaayo ug damage. Di na maabli ang luyo nga pultahan sa tuo nga bahin. Ang hood naukab, nabuak ang bildo. Di nako ma-imagine uy," she said. Her husband was not with her at the time.

The Mitsubishi Montero then hit the rear part of a Hyundai car, which also hit a multicab.

"It was a domino effect," Becoy said, the accident caused traffic congestion for almost three hours

None of Quimada's 50 passengers were injured.

The 16 reported victims were not seriously injured and only complained of minor head injuries, said Becoy. The victims were taken to the different hospitals.

Becoy said they arrested Quimada who is being held responsible for the accident. A case of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple physical injuries and damage to property will be filed against him.

The other incident happened in the mountain barangay of Busay involving fashion designer Philip Tampus.

Traffic enforcer Roderick Plaza said they responded in the area at past 2 p.m. yesterday and were only able to find Tampus' Hyundai car (YHS 364) at the bottom of a slope with its front stuck in a ditch.

The victim was reportedly heading to the city proper from Mountain View when the accident happened.

The victim was taken by Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation paramedics to a hospital by the time they arrived in the area, said Plaza. Another person he was with in the car escaped serious injury.

Investigators from the Traffic Patrol Group have yet to talk with the victim who is still being treated at the hospital. Initial information they gathered showed that the victim is now in stable condition. –(FREEMAN)