A sugarcane worker died, another was in critical condition, and five others were injured and rushed to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City when a cargo truck with 63 other workers carrying them crashed into a mango tree around noon Sunday in Brgy. Amdos, Ayungon town, Oriental Negros.

The fatality was identified as Elver Alunan, 18, single of Brgy. Mabato, Ayungon, while the victim still critical in the hospital was known only through his surname, Montecino.

Their 63 other fellow sugarcane workers were treated at the Bindoy District Hospital in Bindoy town, while the five confined in the NOPH were Vivencio Guzman, 28, married; , Remby Morillo, 16, single; Roger Alunan, 16, single; Rogelio Alunan, 40, married; Bonifacio Enriquito, 74, married, all of Mabato, Ayungon; and Salvador Herusa, married of Brgy. Nalundan, Bindoy.

The survivors said the cargo truck, carrying them to the Mendieta sugar cane plantation for work the next day, was running at full speed despite the road curves in Sitio Layawan, Amdos when it lost its brakes, forcing the driver to lose control and the truck to hit the mango tree.

The tree fell on the truck and hit the passengers, some of whom suffered broken bones.

All the victims were first brought to the Bindoy District Hospital and the seven seriously injured were later transferred to the NOPH.

Elver Alunan who had a crushed leg and head succumbed to his injuries at about 7 p.m. Sunday, the police said.*RG

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