A total of 10 children, the youngest of whom were 2-month old babies and 6 other adults were brought to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) yesterday afternoon after they were hit by an Isuzu Ref Van along Lacson Street, Bacolod City.

PO3 Xavier Rama, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) traffic investigator said that at about 12:30PM, a Yamaha STX 125 with plate number II5918 fully-loaded with passengers was accidentally hit by the Isuzu van bearing plate number RHY 352, owned by Antarctic Ice Corporation along Lacson Circumferential Road in Bangga Pepsi, Brgy. Bata.

The tricycle was driven by Ermilo Manayaga, 28, of Jalandon, Brgy. 2 who was wounded along with his 15 other passengers who were on their way home to Purok Lampirong in Brgy. 2 from attending church services at the Dunamis Living Praise Church in Brgy. Bata.

Wounded were: Maricor Lindayao, 25 and her children Jony Boy (7yo), Joendy (2yo), Mariel (8months old) and Melody (5yo); Manilyn Callao, 18 and his son 3-month old Jieny Boy Baya-bado; Rona Maglasang, 23, and her son Edwin (3 mos. old); Emilyn Lucas, 22 and son Jonel (11month old); Ana Rose Artawa, 14; Jenniquel Lucas, 22 and children Efren (5-yo) and 11-month old Erica.

Rama explained that Manilyn Callao and her baby were found under the truck after the impact.

Truck driver Herminio Leonoras Jr, 34, of Hacienda Paz, Cadiz City was on his way to Brgy. Tagda in Hini-garan town where the company he works for is based.

The investigator added that the driver may have felt drowsy after being up on the streets for days waiting for their goods to be loaded from Cebu. It was going towards the south while the tricycle was going West of Circumferential Road from the East when the accident happened.

The tricycle was found several meters from the point of impact which hit a parked Bata-Libertad route jeepney with plate number FWN 600.

No one was reported dead due to the accident. Eight of the wounded passengers as of press time were reported out of the hospital.

Leonoras is presently detained while the owners of Antarctic Ice Corporation are taking charge of the financial responsibilities that the mishap incurred, according to Rama.*