(UPDATED) A Bongo light cargo truck carrying students of Regino Mercado Night High School in Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City slammed into an electric post along the national highway in Barangay Magay, Compostela town in northern Cebu past 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
The graduating Grade 10 students were going to Medellin town for a beach outing to celebrate the birthday of their classmate when the incident occurred.
According to Captain Kelvin Roy Mamaradlo, chief of Compostela Police Station, the right front tire of Bongo Dropside Porter (JAD 5768) burst, causing its driver, Randy Villar, 44, married, a resident of Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City. to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the power pole.
Villar got wounded.
Mamaradlo said Villar was carrying 25 passengers.
The passengers riding in the back were thrown out and sustained physical injuries.
They are Christian Ramos,18; Lady Dabatos, 16; John Lloyd Mercado,16; Carl Sidlakan, 17; Chynna Lodia, 16; Angelo Flores, 17; Dodoy Belarminp, 16; Giobanni Cabando, 17; Khen Anthony Candado, 20; and Shane Cua, 16, both from Cebu City.
They were rushed to Danao Provincial Hospital, while those who sustained serious injuries were taken to a hospital in Cebu City.
The vehicle's front bumper suffered great damage after toppling down the post. (AYB, GPL, TPT)