Road mishaps kill 1, injure 5

CEBU, Philippines - One person died and five others were injured in separate vehicular accidents less than 24 hours apart in Carmen and Balamban.

Rolando Pangaotan, 34, of Barangay Luyang, Carmen died on the spot after being ran over by a Ceres bus driven by Josephus Tellidua, 49, of Barangay Binabag, Pinamungajan at the national highway in Barangay Fuente, Carmen last Wednesday evening.

 The victim was allegedly drunk and was trying to cross the highway when the Ceres bus heading to the north hit him. The victim reportedly lay down on the road because of drunkenness, said Police Officer 1 Nef Nemenzo.

The driver surrendered at the police station but was released yesterday after the family of the victim agreed to an amicable settlement.

Meanwhile, five persons were injured after their vehicle fell on its side at the Transcentral Highway in Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban yesterday morning.

The victims, Marvin Lalican, 25, of Barangay Quiot; Reztie Almocera, 30, of Basak- San Nicolas; Israel Rona, 27, and Chromwell Rona, 18, both from Barangay Mambaling, and Cathlyn Mae Singson, 27, of Lapu-Lapu City, who was driving the Toyota Hilux, were heading to Barangay Molobolo in Tuburan when the accident happened at 7 a.m.

They were rushed to the Balamban Provincial Hospital but were only treated for minor injuries. Six other passengers of the vehicle were unharmed.

Kelly Claros, 53, who witnessed the incident said that the vehicle was travelling on a high speed. Residents along the highway called the driver’s attention because of a fire they noticed underneath the vehicle. Singson allegedly tried to step on the brakes but was not anymore working.

The driver swerved the vehicle to the right to prevent it from falling into the ravine. In the process the vehicle fell on its side in the middle of the highway.

“Nag-aso ug maayo ang sakyanan unya dunay kayo pwerte nakong siyagit sa among silingan nga magdala og tubig,” Claros said.  (FREEMAN)