Six injured as minibus hits three vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - At least six people were injured after a minibus owned by EDC Liner hit three vehicles yesterday morning along Natalio Bacalso Avenue near the Cebu Institute of Technology.

A motorcycle, an owner-type jeep, and a taxicab were badly damaged after the minibus with plate number GWF-674 driven by one Ronnie Alcoriza plying the Carcar - Cebu City route allegedly lost its brakes.

The traffic light was on a stop sign when the incident happened past 9am. All vehicles were heading towards downtown Cebu.

The driver of the motorcycle, Tirso Antinero; the driver of the jeep, Delfin Bunani, 63, and his passengers Jovita Bunani, 63, Joviliza Conijos, 70, another unidentified adult, and a 16-year-old girl suffered contusions and bruises. 

Responding members of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation rushed the victims to the Perpetual Succour Hospital.

`The driver of the minibus, Ronnie Alcoriza, was placed under police custody and, as of last night, was held at the traffic group office of the city police pending a formal complaint against him. 

SPO1 Dioniso Galo said the minibus reportedly hit the motorcycle first then the jeep and subsequently a taxi of Ban System driven by one Eliseo Sarabia.

EDC Liner owned the same minibus that rammed into a 10-wheeler truck last year that ended the life of at least 14 people.

Galo said that all vehicles are now at the City Traffic Operations Management.

Police are still conducting a follow-up investigation into the accident. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)