Toppled tree falls on multicab, 4 hurt

FOUR passengers including a pregnant woman, were injured after a coconut tree fell on a multicab in barangay Jubay, Liloan town, northern Cebu.

The wounded passengers were brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. The victims were 31-year-old pregnant Malou Villamor; Mirphabel Andales, 19; Archie Tajanlangit, 32; and Fe Pastoran, 54.

The driver, Wilfredo Moralina, 48, and three other passengers were unhurt.

Police said the multicab with plate number GWR-266 was headed for Cebu City when the accident occurred around 1 p.m. last Wednesday.

Police said the coconut tree grew on a lot owned by Nadine Yuson, who is already based in the United States.

Police said barangay workers had advised the caretaker of the lot to cut the tree because it was already leaning, posing danger to pedestrians and passing vehicles.

SPO1 Claudio Castro, traffic investigator of the Liloan police, said they will coordinate with barangay officials for the possible filing of criminal and civil charges./REPORTER RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL AND CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA