CEBU, Philippines - Seven people were killed while 24 others were injured, one of them a minor still in critical condition, after the Fuso truck they were riding hit a concrete perimeter fence then crashed into a house along the national road in Sitio Mabugnaw, Barangay Guadalupe, Carcar City, yesterday noon.
Five people were killed on the spot while two more died at the hospital.
Those killed immediately were Nickson Albite, Wenceslao Famulagan, Agustin Alcain Sr., Yoyoy Barlaan and Cristita Davin.
Daniel Marson died a few minutes later at the Carcar Provincial Hospital, while Jovencia Davin did not make it alive to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City where she was referred along with those injured.
Those injured were identified as Mario Famulagan, 48, driver and operator of the truck; Fermin Sarcauga, 40, truck boy; Medarda Malinog, 51; Jelyn Malinog, 14; Joelito Herberola, 43; Mamerto Familgan, 59; Hitomie Familgan; Patrocinio Familgan, 69; Randy Mier; Eddie Mier, 51; Virgilio Mier; George Malinao; Felix Villarmente, 48; Jayniel Albeos; Felix Sapotera; Francisco Bañadas, 28; Pedro Jabagat, 43; Roger Oyangoren; Teodoro Mabasa; Ronie Quiñones, 48; Pedro Famat; Felix Pamat; Junior Lonzaga and Nigel Nacua, all from Argao town.
They reportedly suffered fractures, multiple injuries and loss of consciousness, said Carcar Provincial Hospital general surgeon Dr. Nicanor Duarte.
The truck was also carrying livestock. Of the 19 cows only four died due to the strong impact. The said livestock were being bought to Barangay Mantalongon, Barili town, as it was market day there.
The victims were supposed to go home to Argao town when the incident happened. They were standing on hanging wooden divisions at the back of the truck just above the livestock.
Passenger Roberto Pamor said he heard the wheels screech on the road and the next thing he knew they had already rammed the concrete fence of the house owned by Raquel Parason. After hitting the fence, the truck crashed into the house, throwing one of the fatalities against the grates of a window. Another was smashed into the wall of the house while another was killed after his head was pinned between the roof gutter and the truck.
“Nag-agit-it nang daan unya nisuway ug kambiyo dili na mi kasaka sa wala pa mi miabot ngadto dapita unya kalit na lang og lagapak,†Pamor said, adding that they were indeed traveling at high speed.
Traffic investigator Police Officer 1 Dennis Cabajar also confirmed what Pamor said based on the damage to the fence, the house and the vehicle.
“Kusog-kusog gyud ang dagan kay matud pa sa nakakita nga nipilit man gyud ang ubang biktima sa bungbong sa balay,†Cabajar said, adding that Famulagan lost control of the vehicle while approaching the descending and slightly curved blind portion of the road.
House owner Parason said she was at home and her children were outside playing when she suddenly heard them scream. She was surprised upon seeing the truck just crash into her house.
“Diha ra akong mga anak sa gawas nagduwa-duwa unya mao na man lang akong nadunggan nga dunay kusog nga buto dayong siyagit sa bata pwerte nakong kuyawa… unya ang sakay uban nagkadugo na,†she said.
Ambulances from the towns of Argao, Sibonga, and San Fernando also responded to the incident and took the victims to the VSMMC.
All victims were eventually rushed to the VSMMC’s Trauma Center, said Dr. Emmanuel Gines. They were given immediate treatment.
Duarte explained that those who were declared dead suffered head trauma with massive blood loss while Marson was still alive when brought to the hospital but, he was already restless.
Cabajar said they will be filing a charge for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against Famulagan.
Land and Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board director Ahmed Cuizon also said that Famulagan will also face charges for using his green plate vehicle as “for hire†vehicle. He said that if a vehicle will be used to transport livestock then there should be no other passenger and vice-versa. — with CNU Interns Arnado, Keizen Danica and Modina, Eunice Anne/BRP (FREEMAN)