Six injured as ‘octopus’ ride breaks down

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan — Six persons were injured, three of whom were minors, when an arm of an ‘octopus’ ride in a town carnival here was broken.

Chief Inspector Harris Fama, Mangaldan police chief, identified the victims as Bobby Garcia, 20; Rolly Lalata, 19; both of Barangay Inlambo; Cathy Poheda, 20; Andrei Oliver de Guzman, 5; both of Barangay Guiguilonen; and Michele Becbec, 9; and her brother, Danny, 10, of Bagong Pag-asa, San Jacinto town.

The victims sustained bone fractures and were rushed to the Region I Medical Center in Dagupan City. As of press time, only Garcia and Lalata were still confined at the hospital for further treatment.

Fama disclosed that the person operating the ‘octopus’ ride went into hiding after witnesses said he was drunk while operating the ride. Police are now preparing charges against those responsible for the accident. — Eva Visperas