Four hurt in road mishap

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

FOUR persons were injured after a jeepney loaded with schoolchildren, their parents, and teachers rammed into a tree and a perimeter fence morning of Oct. 11, 2019 in Lambunao, Iloilo.

Police identified the victims as Mary Jean Jaque, 38, and her son, Marvin, both of Barangay Panuran, Lambunao; Maria Wesin Mamon, also of Panuran village; and Susanita Luceno.

Police Staff Sergeant Rexxan John Engada, Lambunao police investigator, said that Mary Jean’s arm had to be amputated.

Most of the passengers were initially brought to Calinog District Hospital but were later released after getting treatment.

Mary Jane, Marvin, and Luceno were later referred to a hospital in Iloilo City while Mamon remains in confinement in Calinog.

Engada said 24 of the 40 passengers were Boy Scouts of Panuran Elementary School who were to attend a district rally in Lambunao town.

From Panuran, the jeepney was navigating Barangay Maribong around 7:30 a.m. when its brakes failed.

The driver, Ivy Sumandi of Barangay Cunarum, Lambunao, said the vehicle zigzagged and he tried to avoid falling into a ravine.

He swerved to his right until he rammed into a tree and a perimeter fence.

The out-patient victims were brought to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for post-traumatic counseling.