An ambulance carrying a patient who was being rushed to a government hospital in Tagbilaran City and his family crashed in Batuan town injuring all of the passengers and the emergency vehicle’s driver on Thursday afternoon.

According to Chief Master Sgt. Eulogio Casilac, Jr. of the Batuan Police Station, the ambulance’s right tire at the rear exploded causing the driver, Jerry Edusma, 46, to lose control of the vehicle along a national highway in Barangay Poblacion Norte, Batuan.

The ambulance, owned by the Sierra Bullones local government, was transporting a patient from the said town to the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City.

“Nabuthan og ligid sa luyo unya naka-igo motor na nagparking sa daplin. ‘Nya pagkahuman naigo pud tong gate sa usa ka bay ‘nya niligid padung agtong pikas kalsada sa kanal unya naigo pud sa punuan sa kahoy mao tong digto ra ka hunong ang ambulansya,” he said.

Edusma, 21-year-old patient Julieto Bag-o, and his mother Alejandra, 50; sister Junie, 29; and sister Elma, 15, suffered injuries including bruises.

They were rescued by personnel of the TaRSIER 117 and were rushed to the Congressman Toribio Memorial Hospital in Carmen.

Julieto who was suffering from severe stomachache was supposedly being taken to the GCGMH for emergency medical attention during the accident.

Other than those onboard the ambulance, no one else was injured.

Casilac said based on Edusman’s statement that the rear tires may have already been worn out causing the accident.

“Ang unahan ra na ligid bag-o ‘nya ang luyo daan-daan. Pero nindot pa to bag-o pero mga ligid ra gyuy murag wa ma pulihan,” said Casilac. (AD)