Death toll in Benguet road mishap rises to 13
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines – Another passenger in the utility vehicle that fell into a ravine here onTuesday died yesterday, bringing the death toll to 13.
Charee Bestre,15, died at 2 a.m. yesterday while being treated in a hospital, according to Buguias town police head Chief Inspector Fernando Botangen.
The driver of the Ford Fiera, Efren Dalisdis, 45; Angie Akien, 15; Jera Madiano, 15; Jira Flair Mayao, 15; Maricel Basatan, 13; Sheribeith Simeon, 12; Jasmine Lestino, 15; Minerva Menzi, 16; Johnray Dalisdis,16; Marifaith Lamsis, 15; Mheljoy Agustin, 15; and Yvone Bestre, 13, died at the scene.
Elejoy Agyapas,17; Jamerose Bankin, 15; and Rheyshan Latuwed, 18, were critically injured and confined in various hospitals in Baguio City.
Investigators said Dalisdis was driving the victims, mostly students of Poblacion National High School, to Barangay Amlimay when three students said they wanted to get off.
The vehicle skidded as it pulled over along Barangay Bangbangayen, and its hand brake failed.
Botangen said the students even tried to prevent the jeep from rolling over by putting a stone against one tire.
The accident is the worst along Cordillera’s highway system since the Florida bus crash in Bontoc, Mountain Province in February, which killed 14, including foreign tourists. – With Raymund Catindig
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