Truck pins boy to death, 3 others hurt in accident

CEBU, Philippines - A six-year-old boy died while his father and two others were seriously injured after the motorcycle they were riding figured in an accident with a truck and a car, yesterday in Barangay Tulic, Argao.

Mathew Gilbolingo was pinned to death by the prime mover truck while his father Vincent, 30, motorcycle-for-hire driver Isidro Abajar, 19, and another passenger, Robert Tambal, 34, are currently being treated at the hospital.

According to Police Officer 2 Howard Maynopas of Argao Police Station, the accident happened yesterday morning while the father and son were heading home to Barangay Bali-saong from Argao Public Market.

The two took a motorcycle-for-hire and along with Tambal, were being ferried home by Abajar when the accident happened.

Abajar was tailing a prime mover that was carrying sacks of cement and upon reaching Barangay Tulic, decided to overtake it.

But as he was overtaking the truck, Abajar met a Toyota Sedan which was traveling at the opposite side of the road.

Abajar tried to maneuver the motorcycle to avoid both vehicles, but he reportedly miscalculated and ended up bumping into the Sedan.

Because of the impact, the boy was thrown from the motorcycle and fell to the side of the road where the truck was trailing. He was eventually run over by the vehicle.

His father, Abajar, and Tambal also landed on the pavement and suffered serious injuries. The three of them were brought to a hospital in Cebu City, their current condition police have yet to know.

 “Gawas nga prime mover, dako na man g’yud ‘na nga truck. Bug-at pa gyud to kay loaded og semento mao to’ng di mahitsura ang lawas sa bata,” Maynopas said.

Sedan driver Adolfo Mendoza, 46, of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City and truck driver Soldero Capanay, 48, of Negros Island Region, are currently in police custody as well as their respective vehicles.

Maynopas said the truck came from San Fernando town and was bound for Negros Island Region where the sacks of cement were supposed to be delivered.

Police are waiting for the decision of the victims’ families whether or not to press charges against the drivers.  (FREEMAN)