Truck falls off cliff, kills 1, injures 24

CEBU, Philippines - A woman died while 24 others were injured when a dump truck plunged into a five-meter-deep cliff in Sitio Kampatok, Barangay Bungon, Tabuelan Sunday evening.

Nenita Avenido, 50, of Sitio Kabalawan, Barangay Bungon, was declared dead on arrival at the Sogod District Hospital because of the severe injuries she sustained from the fall. Aside from Avenido 10 other victims were taken to the same hospital but were immediately discharged because they sustained only minor injuries.

The driver Delman Llanto and the other victims were taken to Tuburan District Hospital. There were 13 victims referred to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center because of the seriousness of their injuries.

Among those injured was Julius Momo, son of former Tabuelan Vice Mayor Silvestre Momo, who owns the dump truck. Most of the victims were students of Tabuelan National High School who were only hitching a ride.

The driver told the police that he was negotiating downhill from Barangay Mohon, Sogod town going to Poblacion, Tabuelan when he lost control of the vehicle at 6:00 p.m. The dump truck was loaded with several sacks of rice and feeds when the accident happened.

Tabuelan police chief Insp. Roberto Hugo said that the driver told him that the vehicle first lost its brakes. The driver tried to maneuver until he eventually lost control of the vehicle and plunged into the cliff.

Most of the passengers were thrown off the truck causing them serious injuries. The police are now preparing criminal complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries against the driver. (FREEMAN)