CEBU CITY – Eight pupils and a 40-year-old woman were killed after the mini-dump truck they were riding in overturned in Boljoon, Cebu yesterday.
Police said 17 others, including the driver of the mini-dump truck, Danilo Mendez Niere, were injured in the accident that happened at 7:40 a.m. in Sitio Lingatong, Barangay Lower Becerril.
Killed were Jerome Nierre, 11; Mary Ann Filipino, 12; Janna delos Santos, 12; Clint Isidore Dugang, 10; Victoria Gorozon, 40; Jefferson Jorpo, 11; Alexander Villanueva, 20; Mark Lloyd Mosqueda, 12; and Riza Mae Viñan, 10.
Also injured were Angel Ceciban, 10; Elvie Jean Gorozon, 9; Aga Oliveros, 12, Reyan Jhade Bentazal, 10; Lutchie May Romeo Rota, 11; Roy Quadero Endrina, 9; Alexes Mitch Allso, 10; Analyn Legarte, 10; Mark Louie Culanag;
Gracia Mae Denuyo, 10; Thea Joy Felipe, 8; Bernie Niere, 11; Roxan May Endrina, 11; Chan Love Mie Endrina; 27; Imee Clear Rivas, 11; and Annrose Niere, 11.
Police Staff Sgt. Nelson Saquibal, investigator of the Boljoon police station, said the pupils are from the Nangka and San Antonio Elementary Schools.
The pupils were supposed to join the District Nutrition and Cultural Sports meet, an undertaking by the Department of Education.
Police said the mini-dump truck with license plates SKV-242 is owned by the local government of Boljoon.
Niere was heading to Barangay Upper Becerril to pick up more students when the accident happened.
Police said the driver claimed that he was negotiating a downhill portion of the road when the truck lost its brake.
To prevent the truck from falling off a cliff, the driver rammed the vehicle into a cliff that caused it to overturn and pinned its passengers.
Police said the fatalities died on the spot. The wounded passengers and the drivers were rushed to the town health center. (Calvin Cordova)
