Man hit, killed by fallen electric post

CEBU, Philippines – A motorcycle driver died after he was pinned by a power utility post, which fell after it was hit by a pick-up past 3 p.m. on Saturday at Sitio Bangkerohan, Consolacion town.

Lloyd Joseph Fanilag, 46, of Cabahug Street, Mandaue City, was rushed to the Mandaue District Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival while Bonifacio Madaya Jr., 53, driver of the Isuzu D-Max pick-up, was taken into police custody shortly after the accident.

PO1 Jean Pierre Punay, traffic investigator of Consolacion Police Station, said that Fanilag was driving his motorcycle behind Madaya's D-Max along Tayud, Consolacion road.

Both drivers were headed towards Mandaue City when Fanilag reportedly tried to overtake the D-Max. Madaya allegedly lost control of the steering wheel and hit the electric post of the Visayan Electric Company.

The concrete VECO pole fell and directly hit Fanilag's head.

"Pariho og direksyon sa Mandaue ni-overtake ning motor nawad-an og control ang DMAX nabangga sa poste sa VECO nabali ang poste naigo sa iyang ulo, nabuak ang helmet," Punay said.

"Dimalasa kagamay anang motor maigo pa gyud siya," Punay added.

Madaya reportedly offered Fanilag's family P30,000 in cash assistance but as of yesterday, Punay said it was not clear yet if the case has been settled amicably. Punay said unless the aggrieved party and Madaya reach an agreement, they cannot yet release the latter from prison.

Meanwhile, one died and two were injured in a motorcycle collision past 5 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Tapon, Dumanjug town.

Mario Toquero, 53; Carlo Sumampong, 20; and Dave Montealpo, were brought to the Barili District Hospital but Toquero was pronounced dead on arrival.

Initial investigation revealed that Sumampong was driving his motorcycle with Montealpo heading towards Ronda town while Toquero was also on board his motorcycle heading to opposite direction.

Sumampong reportedly lost control of the motorcycle and hit Toquero on the opposite lane. All three were thrown off their vehicles and were later rushed to the hospital. Toquero was pronounced dead on arrival while the other two are currently recuperating. —/ATO (FREEMAN)