17 injured as truck falls on its side

CEBU, Philippines - At least 17 people were injured when the truck they were riding fell on its side along the South Road Property Bridge in Barangay Mambaling early yesterday morning.

The victims, mostly vegetable and fruit vendors, were coming from the south and were heading towards the Carbon Market when the driver, Narciso Millar, 48, reportedly lost control of the Isuzu Forward truck with plate number GTL 265.

As this happened, the truck’s front right tire ran off the gutter and hit the roadside railings until the truck tilted to its left.

SPO2 Porferio Lim said the victims, including a four-year-old girl, were thrown off the road along with their goods. Injured were Alfredo Batucan, 54, and his wife Trinidad, 53; Dioscora Lavador, 55, and her husband Brigido, 53; Maria Elena Cane, 50; Merly Cane, 50; Danilo Balbero, 40; Milba Balbero, 40; Teodorico Marayan, 53, and Jessie Brien Cataluña, 17; all are residents of Asturias town.

Also injured were Claudia Son, 60; Warcila Papaya, 70; Joramel Basillote, 20; Tarsisices Biay, 15; Analy Opendo, 58, and Eunice Opendo, four; all hail from Balamban town.

Millar also suffered some injuries.

Paramedics of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation rushed eight of the victims to the Cebu City Medical Center for immediate treatment while the others were allowed to go. A staff nurse at CCMC told The FREEMAN that one of the eight was treated on an out-patient status.

The nurse refused to elaborate on the condition of the other victims owing to the hospital’s confidentiality policy, but a security guard there said one of the victims is reportedly in critical condition.

Lim said Millar has been detained and may face charges if the victims decide to press a complaint. Lim said the truck was way overloaded considering that it could accommodate only up to five persons, the driver included. — (FREEMAN)