9 injured as van hits tree in Bohol

Garcia Hernandez town (shaded in red) in Bohol (Image from Google Maps)

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Nine passengers were injured in a crash when the van they were riding skidded and hit a tree in Garcia Hernandez town in Bohol province on Sunday morning.

Those hurt, including an Australian, were brought to hospitals in Jagna town and Tagbilaran City, according to PO3 Elvan Cadiz of the Garcia Hernandez Municipal Police Station.

Kenneth Centorias, 23-year-old driver of the van-for-hire, was detained at the police station pending the filing of a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries.

The van was heading for Tagbilaran from Jagna town past 11 a.m. when it had an accident.

When it reached the national highway in Barangay West Canayaon in Garcia Hernandez town, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which skidded off and hit a gmelina tree.

Centorias told police that he was not able to step on the brakes on time because of the slippery road due to rains.

The eastern part of Bohol was placed under Tropical Cycleon Warning Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Depression “Amang.”

Cadiz said a motorcycle also crashed in the same area two hours before the incident. /atm