37 students hurt in truck accident

CEBU, Philippines - Thirty-seven fourth year high school students were injured, three of them severely, after they fell from a cargo truck last Thursday afternoon at the Transcentral Highway in Barangay Preinza, Balamban town.

In all, 126 students of Buanoy National High School were with two teachers on the way home from a recollection at the Don Bosco-Balamban Technological Center located in the barangay when a railing of the Isuzu Elf cargo truck they were riding suddenly gave way.

The vehicle left the center past 5 p.m. and was negotiating a curve when the railing on the right portion of the truck accidentally dropped and 37 of the students fell to the pavement.

Investigation showed that all the students onboard were standing since the vehicle had no seats.

The truck, with license plate numbers THE-941, was driven by Rogelio Eliezer, a resident of Barangay Pulpogan, Consolacion town.

The students’ advisers, Aurelia Alimpoos and Lincha Nebros, who were both seated at the truck’s cab, disembarked from the truck and assisted the students.

All victims were immediately taken to the Balamban Provincial Hospital for treatment of the injuries they sustained.

The three severely injured were transferred to a hospital in Cebu City for further medication. They were identified as Jessaly Galo, Kristine Crausos and Ritshe Tupas.

The driver surrendered to the police station after the incident.

Police are conducting an investigation into the matter to determine if there was a lapse on the side of the driver. 

SPO3 Arvie Banate of the Balamban police said that the 10-wheeler truck used by the students is owned by the Metaphil construction company.

Banate said that the school formally requested for a vehicle from Metaphil to bring their students to and from the recollection.

Banate said that the construction company has extended financial assistance to the injured students. —Niña G. Sumacot with Gabriel Bonjoc/BRP(FREEMAN NEWS)