Six persons survive tree branch, van collapse

SIX people, including a child, escaped death when a 10×10 feet container carried by a trailer van fell off  and collapsed on a taxi at Hernan Cortes Street, barangay Casuntingan, Mandaue City, yesterday afternoon.

The heavy container also damaged part of a tricycle that was passing by.

The taxi was headed for  A.S. Fortuna Street when the accident occured at 2 p.m.  All the occupants were able to jump out in time.

PO1 Glen Dejito of the Mandaue City police’s traffic division said the trailer van  hit overhead branches of an acacia tree. A big branch  fell on a taxi boarded by five people including a child.

The taxi  driven by Leonides Malacaste of Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City came came from North General Hospital.

The tricycle  driver, a resident of  barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, managed to avoid the branch.

Van  driver Elizardo Tatoy, 54, told  reporters he didn’t notice the container fall off the trailer or hit the tree branch.

Tatoy said  his  company he worked for, Bec Sato Transport, based in Pier 1, Cebu City, will pay for the damages. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza

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