2 dead, 24 hurt in 3 road accidents

CEBU, Philippines -  Two women died while 24 others were injured in three separate vehicular accidents in Cebu last Friday.

In Barangay Lindogon, Sibonga, Cindy Lucero, 45, of Punta Princesa, Cebu City, died after the tricycle she was riding figured in an accident with an Isuzu Crosswind and fell into a cliff.

Injured were tricycle driver Alfonso Sarausad, 58, of Guiwanon, Argao, and other passengers Irish Tariman, 17, Tersa Monterde, Imelda Dacumos, 35, and Lorna Pelonio, 60.

Police investigation showed the car driver, Memze Embate of Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, was trying to overtake the tricycle when he accidentally hit it instead.

Sarausad lost control of the tricycle because of the impact, which sent them into a cliff.

The victims were brought to Argao District Hospital. Lucero was transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for further treatment but died hours later.

In another incident, 73-year-old Vicenta Batao died after she was hit by a vehicle-for-hire (V-hire) in Barangay Dakit, Bogo City.

Based on the investigation, V-hire driver Dennis Gulben, 34, of Daanbantayan town accidentally hit Batao who was allegedly crossing the street hesitantly.

The victim succumbed to severe injuries while being transported to a hospital in Cebu City.

In Barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban, 19 persons were wounded, 12 of them severely, after another V-hire fell into a cliff Friday night.

The vehicle was almost crushed into pieces because of the impact when it fell into the cliff but all 18 passengers and the driver, Amando Abejero, 30, luckily survived.

Some of the passengers, including minors, were reportedly in critical condition. They were identified as Dr. Conrado Vitug, 59, Asturias Parish Pastoral Council president; Jennifer Montebon, 38; Joseph Montebon, 44; Maribel Himpisaw, 13; Debbie Mae Jayme, 25; her sister Elmarie Jayme, 35 and mother Elpidia Jayme, 68; Rachie Aligato, 22; Jonriel Aligato, 8; Elvisa Pilapil, 48; Danilo Pilapil, 43; and Sunshine Bantilan.

They were rushed to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Balamban but were later transferred to hospitals in Cebu City.

Sustaining minor injuries were Godofredo Quilaton, 62, Joseph Torion, 43, Mario Solosod, Sheila Mae Yanong, Christian Duke Templado, and a certain Pio.

The victims were all bound for Langub, Asturias to attend a wedding ceremony.

According to the report, the V-hire was descending the road towards Balamban town when its brakes malfunctioned and the driver lost control of the steering wheel.

The vehicle gained speed, reached a curve portion and rolled down several times when it plunged into the cliff.  (FREEMAN)