CEBU, Philippines - Three people were hurt while a few others escaped with minor injuries after mini-bus ran off the road in barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City yesterday.
City Traffic Operations Management Officer Richie Famador said the vehicle was first parked at the side of Tanjay road while waiting for passengers, one of its wheels was blocked by a rock to prevent it from rolling forward.
When the stone was removed later on around 6:55 a.m., the driver did not notice that the steering wheel was locked.
Famador said Marcelo Justan the driver of Hyundai Transporter with plate number YAE-664, tried to use the brakes but these did not function immediately since the engine had not been turned on.
The mini-bus ran off the road and came to rest down a slope four meters below the level of the road. Famador said the vehicle could have gone deeper down the cliff had not grown trees arrested the fall.
There were six passengers aboard the mini-bus when it fell. Three were rushed to North District Hospital while the rest only sustained minor injuries.
Those taken to the hospital were identified as Justan, 25, Felilia Coca, 66, and Rex Reynante Meñoza, 19, all residents of the said barangay.
The passengers were all members of The Bible Baptist Church who were reportedly on their way to attend worship service. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)