Bus crashes into tree, 1 killed, 10 hurt

CEBU CITY—A woman was killed while 10 persons were wounded on Sunday morning when a passenger bus crashed into a tree and turned on its right side along the national highway of Talaga, Argao town, in southern Cebu.

Maria Teresa Ceballos, 45, and a resident of Moalboal town, died on the spot after her body was crushed by the bus after she was thrown off from the vehicle upon impact.

“She was sitting near the window when she was thrown off and her body was pinned by the bus,” said PO3 Von Tecson, Argao police homicide investigator.

He said that based on witnesses’ account, Ceres bus 8304 (plate number CEH 994) was chasing another bus, Sunrays, about 10:45 a.m. as the drivers of the two vehicles were apparently having a contest on who could pick up more passengers at the Argao town proper.

Ceres came from Samboan town and was heading to Cebu City like the Sunrays bus.

After overtaking Sunrays, Tecson said Ceres driver Ernesto Yanong failed to control the Ceres bus since it was running fast and the road was slippery.

The Ceres bus rammed into a big Gmelina tree along the national highway of Talaga, about 3 kilometers from the town proper.

Because of the impact, the tree  was cut in half and the bus flipped on its right side.

Yanong, 33, of Cebu City, denied he was overspeeding, saying the accident was caused by a slippery road since it was drizzling at that time.

Yanong, who was hurt in the left hand, was fetched by the Argao policemen at the hospital and was detained at the police station to face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide with multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

Tecson said six of the passengers suffered minor injuries. Four were confined at the hospital for observation.

Injured were Darlyn Heredia, 19, of Dalaguete town; Alma Medalle, 46, of  San Fernando town;  Iza Mae Pangilinan, 21, of Alcoy town; Joseph Biraque, 27, Cagayan de Oro City, and Carlito Sereño, 53, and conductor John Lovi Cabanas, 23, both of Santander town.

Also hurt were Fritz Abella, 22, Harold Alcatin, 39, and Ian Nel Ladera , 21, all of Cebu City.