3 killed, four others hurt in Butuan road accident

BUTUAN CITY — Three people were killed while four others were wounded when a passenger minibus turned turtle after plowing to death a 14-year-old boy on the road, while negotiating a downhill curve in the city's Amparo Village Saturday morning. An initial report from the Butuan City police identified the boy as Alfredo Laganon, 14, from the village. Also, it said two passengers, who were not immediately identified, were killed on the spot when the vehicle flipped over, crushing them on their seats. Citing the initial information reaching him, Senior Supt. Jose Carillo, director of the Butuan City Police, said “The vehicle turned turtle as a result of the accident," adding it was also loaded with corn aside from regular passengers. The boy's body was cut in half and the upper portion was crushed, including his head, the report added. Amelita Laganon, the boy's mother, said her son went ahead of her on his way to visit their upland farm. She said she even helped wounded passengers of the bus not knowing that her son was already dead. Witnesses said the Christ the King minibus suddenly plowed the boy walking on the road and dragged him almost 50 meters away. According to the police report, the bus was coming from Barangay Tungao and was going at "high speed" while negotiating a curved road around 8:30 a.m. One of the four who were injured, Hermenia Redoble of Las Nieves town in Agusan del Norte, was still in critical condition at the city's MJ Santos Hospital while the three others have already been discharged. “Investigation is still being conducted to determine the criminal liability of the driver," said Carillo. — Alden Pantaleon Jr/LBG, GMA News