ELEVEN persons, including nine students of a private school, suffered injuries when the van carrying them was hit by an army truck in an intersection in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City on Friday morning, Dec. 20, 2019.

The army truck hit the rear of the van, which was on its way to Mandaue City.

SSgt. Andres Rumbines, driver of the army truck, admitted he had been driving fast before the incident happened.

While heading towards the intersection, he noticed the school van approaching in the same direction. Rumbines said he tried to avoid hitting the van. However, when he stepped on the brakes, it was too late—the truck hit the rear of the van, which fell on its side.

At the time, Rumbines said the traffic lights were not functioning and there was no traffic enforcer.

Before the incident happened, Rumbines and 15 fellow officers had been part of the team that secured the dawn mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. After the mass, they took the road along North Reclamation Area as they were heading towards their camp in Barangay Apas. The army officers helped the students, the van driver and his partner. Traffic investigator Jodito Dinglas of Mabolo Police Station said all of the van’s passengers, including the driver, suffered minor injuries and they were brought to a private hospital for treatment.

Rumbines asked for forgiveness for the incident. The army officers, including Rumbines, are willing to handle the hospital bills. (KFD)