6 hurt in Argao road accident

CEBU, Philippines —  At least six people were injured when a vehicle loaded with vegetables lost brakes and turned upside down along the national highway in Sitio Upper Taloot, Argao town, southern Cebu last Saturday morning.

Police identified Bernabe Aballe, 46, the driver of Toyota Ace car, and a resident of Barangay Botong, as among the victims. He incurred head injury, a possible fracture in the left arm and multiple abrasion in his upper and lower extremities.

The other injured persons were identified as Florentina Sabanal; Luinela Aballe; Layla Saguisa; Mariel Alcaide and Angela Templa, all resident of Argao.

According to Kent Rizon, chief of Argao municipal disaster office, his team brought six to different hospitals in Cebu City for immediate medical attention.

Rizon said they gave basic first aid to the victims before rushing them to the hospital onboard the ambulance owned by the local government.

He added that the vehicle driven by Aballe was supposed to send vegetables to different shops, The victims who were onboard the vehicle are neighbors and were supposed to attend the anniversary of a bank in the neighboring town of Sibonga. They hitched a ride.

According to Police Corporal Ariel Conde, traffic investigator at Argao Police Station, the driver suddenly lost control of the vehicle when it allegedly lost brakes. Because of this, it turned upside down on the pavement.

Conde said the other passengers suffered grazes on their skins. He said three of the victims suffered serious injuries, including the driver.

Conde said that police are still investigating if there was human error involved in the accident. — JMD (FREEMAN)