9 dead in road mishaps

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Nine people died while 30 others were injured in road accidents along the mountainous boundaries of this province and Nueva Ecija and in Benguet last Sunday.

Six of the fatalities were from Diadi town in this province. They were in a mini-Isuzu dump truck, which fell into a 15-foot deep ravine along the Nueva Vizcaya-Nueva Ecija mountain border in Sitio Tactac, Barangay Puncan, Carranglan town at around 3 p.m.

Chief Inspector Rey Tulinao, Diadi town police chief, identified the fatalities as Lawrence Gahal, a barangay chairman, who was also the truck driver; Zuchie Dulnuan, Lita Nagsagaray, Teresita Abon, Josephine Jallorina and Rosa Lunag, all residents of Diadi town.

Police said 26 other passengers were being treated at the San Jose City Hospital. Unconfirmed reports indicated that several of the victims were in critical condition.

A police report stated that a speeding trailer truck hit the dump truck. The driver lost control and swerved before it fell into the ravine.

The trailer truck driver, identified as Gilbert Alarcon, abandoned the vehicle and fled after the incident.

In another incident, at least three persons died when the van they were riding fell from a cliff along the Nueva Vizcaya-Benguet highway in Barangay Ambuklao, Bokod, Benguet.     

Reports identified the fatalities as Zacarias Pedro Camura; Edgar Allan Chan Po, the van’s driver; and his wife Janice Reyes.

Arturo de Guzman Tacay, Bestro Gamunay and Aldian Po, are being treated for serious injuries at the Saint Louis University Hospital in Baguio City. A certain Ira Reyes was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital.

The victims were on their way home from Baguio City, where they attended an evangelical mission. 

Police are still establishing the cause of the accidents. – With Artemio Dumlao, Cecille Suerte Felipe