One dead, 10 injured in Argao bus accident

A woman was killed and at least 10 persons were injured when a Ceres Bus Liner crashed into a tree and fell on its side in the national highway of barangay Talaga, Argao yesterday morning.

The bus bearing body number 8304 and plate number CEH 994 was allegedly racing with a Sunrays bus, said police investigators based on witness accounts.

Just before the accident, the Ceres bus had overtaken the Sunrays bus.

Passenger Maria Teresa Ceballos, 45, a midwife from Moalboal town was killed.

Police investigator P03 Von Tecson said Ceballos was brought to the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in Argao where she was pronounced dead.

She sustained severe injuries after she was thrown off the bus.

The injured victims were identified as Darlyn Heredia, 19 of Consolacion Dalaguete; Fritz Abella 22 of Mambaling Cebu City; Harold Alcatin 39 of Barrio Luz, Cebu City; Ian Nel  Ladera , 21 of Sambag II, Urgello, Cebu City; Alma Medalle , 46, of San Fernando; Joseph Biraque, 27 of Cagayan de Oro City; Carlito Sereño, 53 of Santander, Cebu; Iza Mae Pangilinan, 21, of Alcoy; conductor John Lovi Cabanas, 23, of Santander and the bus driver Ernesto Serna, 33, of Quiot Pardo, Cebu City.

Tecson said most of the victims sustained minor injuries. Four were confined for observation.

Yanong claimed that the accident was caused by slippery road conditions as it was raining at the time.

But other witnesses said the Ceres bus and a Sunrays bus were racing to pick up more passengers in Argao town proper. The accident happened about three kilometers from the Argao bus terminal.

The Ceres bus came from Samboan town and was heading for Cebu City.

The driver, Serna, is now detained at the Argao Police station pending the filing of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide with multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

The bus company helped victims get medical attention. /Jhunnex Napallacan Edison Delos Angeles, Correspondents