Septuagenarian loses fingers while trying to retrieve towel

CEBU, Philippines - A 71-year-old woman lost the fingers in her right hand and was rushed to the hospital after a motorcycle accident that was caused by her trying to retrieve a face towel that was caught by the vehicle’s sprocket in Poblacion, Santander last Tuesday morning.

Responding policemen recovered only three of the five severed fingers of Eugenia Culanag, widow, of Barangay Libtong, Santander from the scene of the accident. 

PO1 Noel Estender of Santander Police Station said that prior to the accident, a habal-habal driver named Jonathan Juguilon saw Culanag, who is working as an “errand lady” for different people in their town, walking on the street. With this, Juguilon said he offered the victim a ride for he would pass by where she lives before he arrives home.

But while traveling, the face towel of Culanag allegedly suddenly got caught by the motorcycle’s sprocket. Unmindful of what may happen, she reportedly pulled the towel but her fingers went inside the chain and the sprocket of the vehicles. This caused the motorcycle to malfunction causing them to crash to the ground.

Both Juguilon and Culanag sustained injuries in the different parts of their bodies and were rushed to the Santander District Hospital for treatment. Because of the accident, all five fingers of Culanag’s right hand were severed.

“Mura ba siya og nawili sa iyang face towel nga natagak, pero wa damha gikaun diay sa kadina ug spraket ang towel ug kamot sa tiguwang,” PO1 Estender said. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)