7 KILLED IN TRUCK CRASH

Residents check on more victims trapped in the cargo truck loaded with livestock and some twenty people. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

At least seven people aboard a six-wheeler truck were killed when their vehicle barreled into a house in Carcar City, south Cebu at noon yesterday.

The truck carrying at least 30 passengers with cows and livestock lost its brakes while maneuvering a downhill curve and hit a house.

The report added that the Fuso Fighter truck rammed a concrete fence then plowed into the house owned by Zacarias Barcenas in sitio Magbanhaw ,injuring its driver and passengers before it turned on its side.

Initial investigation said the fatalities were crushed by the animals when they were thrown out of the truck.

Some passengers died on the spot while the injured passengers were immediately brought to the Carcar Provincial Hospital.

Police said five of the fatalities were killed instantly. There were: Cristita Davin, 54; Nickson Albite, 40; Yoyoy Barlaan, 45; Wenceslao Famulagan, 53 and Agustin Alcain, 63.

The sixth fatality, Danilo Marson, was pronounced dead at the Carcar Provincial Hospital while Jovencio Davin, 50 was pronounced dead at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

The fatalities sustained severe injuries in the head and body when the truck fell on its side.
“Kadaghanan ani nila napiit sa truck,” said P01 Dennis Cabajar of the Carcar City police.

(Most of them were pinned down by the truck.)

At least 18 of the 24 injured passengers were transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

At least four of the 11 cows were also killed. The truck was also carrying two carabaos, four goats and two pigs.

Police said the victims were heading for Argao town from the Mantalongon market in Barili town.
The victims, who were mostly traders, went to Mantalongon – the vegetable bowl of Cebu – for its market day which is held every Thursday.

A patient from the accident having himself checked at Carcar District Hospital. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

The truck, with license plate number GDV-259, was driven by its owner Mario Famulagan.

When he drove downhill in n barangay Guadalupe, the truck lost its brakes.

Famulagan allegedly lost control of the speeding truck that went straight into a concrete fence before crashing into the house.

“Ang katunga sa truck nasulod gyod sa balay. Kining mga tawhana naa man gud ni sila sa ibabaw sa tangkal-tangkal sa truck hinungdan nga nangapiit dihang natumba ang truck,” PO1 Cabajar added.

(Half of the truck crashed into the house. The victims were sitting on top of the truck’s iron grills . That’s why they got pinned down when the truck fell on its side.)

Photographs taken of the accident scene, however, showed the truck lying on its side outside Barcenas’ house.

The impact punched a hole in the facade of the house where the living room is located.

Fortunately, Barcenas, who was alone in the house, was in another area.

Neighbors rushed to the accident site and pulled passengers out of the wreckage.

Police, quoting survivor Felix Pamat, said the truck’s brakes malfunctioned when they reached sitio Magbanhaw.

Nagel Nacua, 21 who was standing at the back of the truck, said they were not speeding contrary to some reports.

“Hinay ra man ang dagan gahapon. Wala sad ko mag expect nga ing-ato ang mahitabo sa amoa,” he said.

(We were cruising slowly that’s why we’re not expecting this to happen.)

Ruperto Famor, 63, a truck passengers, confirmed that they were travelling at moderate speed.

“Ako motoo ko nga nawala-an lang to siya og brake maong disgrasya jud to tanan,” he said.
(I really believe that it’s an accident. The brakes malfunctioned.)

Yvette Rachelle Barazon, 13, granddaughter of the house owner, said she and her two siblings were outside the house taking “selfies” (pictures of themselves) when they saw the truck heading toward their their direction.

“We ran inside the house. It was so fast and I was shouting because some people inside the truck were thrown away,” she said in Cebuano.

Police said the truck’s owner and driver, may be charged with reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, serious physical injuries and damage to property.