By CESAR JOLITO III

A three-year-old girl died while several others were injured after their electric bike was hit by a taxi in a three-vehicle collision at Barangay 5 in Negros Occidental’s Silay City on Monday afternoon, June 1.

The child, a four-year-old girl and the bike driver were thrown onto the concrete road at the junction of Rizal Highway and Bangga Bulangan Road around 3:40 p.m.

Initial police investigation show that a bus was traveling from Bacolod City toward E.B. Magalona when it sideswiped a taxi that was executing a U-turn.

The impact caused the taxi to strike an electric bike that had stopped on the southbound lane while preparing to make a left turn.

The victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

However, the girl was declared dead on arrival.

Both the bus and taxi drivers were brought to the Silay police station for proper disposition.

Damage to the vehicles has yet to be determined.

Motorcycle vs. tricycle

Meanwhile, in Escalante City, three individuals were injured in a collision involving a motorcycle and a tricycle along the national highway in Barangay Dian-ay’s Purok Malipayon at 1:50 p.m.

Investigators said the tricycle was traveling from Barangay Polopangyan in Toboso town toward Dian-ay when its driver attempted to make a left turn.

The motorcycle driver traveling in the same direction reportedly tried to overtake and collided with the rear portion of the tricycle.

The impact caused both drivers and the motorcycle’s back rider to fall onto the pavement, resulting in injuries.

They were taken to Alfredo Marañon District Hospital in Sagay City for medical treatment.

Police said further investigation indicated that the motorcycle driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

Authorities continue to investigate both accidents and reminded motorists to exercise caution and strictly observe traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies on the road./CCJ, WDJ