By CESAR JOLITO III

At least nine individuals were injured in three separate vehicular accidents in Negros Occidental on Easter Sunday, April 5.

Police said seven passengers sustained minor injuries when a driver of a truck lost control of the vehicle while descending a portion of the national road at Sitio Magtanday in Sipalay City’s Barangay Camindangan around 12:45 p.m.

As a result, the vehicle overturned on the roadside.

Police investigation showed that the truck, carrying 19 passengers, was traveling from Sipalay to Bacolod City.

The victims were rushed to a local primary care facility for treatment, while 12 others were unharmed.

Authorities said the injured victims were in stable condition.

Earlier that same day, at about 9:40 a.m., a biker and a motorcyclist were injured in a collision along the national highway in Barangay Mambaroto’s Sitio Camp Valdez, still in Sipalay City.

Police said the cyclist allegedly lost control of the bike while going downhill and swerved into the opposite lane.

The biker sustained head injuries and was referred to a hospital in Bacolod City for further treatment, while the motorcycle driver suffered injuries to the left side of his face.

Two passengers, including a five-year-old child, were unharmed.

Meanwhile, in Valladolid town, a separate accident also occurred on Easter Sunday at around 7:35 a.m. in Purok 4, Barangay Palaka.

A 73-year-old driver was injured after his vehicle overturned when he reportedly fell asleep due to fatigue while traveling from Bago City to San Enrique town.

His vehicle crashed into a pile of gravel along the roadside before flipping over.

The driver sustained minor injuries and was brought to a district hospital for treatment.

Authorities reminded motorists to remain alert while driving, especially during long holiday trips, and to ensure their vehicles are in good condition to prevent road accidents./CJ, WDJ