CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese tourist died while his eight companions, also Japanese, were injured when the van they were riding slammed into a tree and fell on its side in southern Cebu Tuesday afternoon.
The driver of the van was also injured and is now in police custody. The fatality was identified as Hiromi Ichimura.
The victims were on their way to Oslob town for whale watching when the van’s steering wheel reportedly malfunctioned a few kilometers to their destination in Barangay Tan-awan.
The driver, Guillermo Hella, 57, lost control of the vehicle and the van slammed into a Mahogany tree before it fell on its side.
Insp. Christopher Castro, the chief of the Oslob Police, said Ichimura was seated behind the driver and was pinned down when the vehicle fell on its side.
“Padulhog man gud kuno ni sila unya ang manibela maoy naay problema matud sa drayber,†Castro told The FREEMAN.
“Buak ang windshield. Guba gyud ang sakyanan basin sa kakusog sa impact unya ang bug-at tua niya tanan mao siguro ang namatyan,†Castro added.
The victims were rushed to the Oslob District Hospital and were later transferred to the South General Hospital in Naga City for further treatment. Some of the victims are now confined at the Cebu Doctor’s University Hospital in Cebu City.
Hella only sustained minor injuries and was released from the hospital after treatment.
Investigators are expected to meet with the victims, as well as with the Japanese Consul.
If the victims will sue, Hella may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries. — /JMO (FREEMAN)