TUBA, Benguet – A laborer died on Thursday while 11 others were injured, including two children when the van they were riding on fell into a ravine, this town, authorities said.
In a phone interview, Jonathan Labotan, head of Tuba Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), identified the fatality as Renante Pig-ang Garcia, 41, a native of Pugo, La Union and a resident of Sitio Toybongan, Tabaan Norte.
Injured are Precy Bansulay Bangayan, 31; Nilda Bansulay Labot, 44; Emily Miguel Pagnas, 45; Ana Dulagan Romero, 47; Ronalyn Pablo Bansulay, 18; Benita Pagnas Paran, 60; Linda Labot Lamsis, 49; all of Sitio Toybongan, Marvin Bibcan Dictaran, 35; and driver Joven Copero Ayban, 18; both of Sitio Teyok, Tabaan Norte, Riza Miguel Pagnas, 3; and Jimwell Romero, 6.
Labotan said the van was heading towards Pugo at around 7:30 a.m. when the vehicle’s brakes malfunctioned.
The vehicle then plunged into a 30-meter deep ravine.
Labotan said the injured passengers were brought to the Baguio General Hospital in Baguio City, about 45 minutes from the crash site while the body of Garcia was brought to his hometown in Pugo.
Aside from personnel of Tuba MDRRMO, personnel from the Tuba Municipal Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection-Tuba, Tuba Health Unit, and community volunteers helped in the rescue. – PNA
April 19, 2024
