(Eagle News) — At least 19 people died, while 22 others were seriously injured after a truck they were riding in fell into a 20-meter deep ravine in Apayao province on Thursday night, Oct. 31.
The truck driver was identified as Merlito Gannaban. The truck was on its way to Conner town to get some rice planting materials to be provided by the government. It had about 44 people on board, aside from the sacks of rice planting materials, according to the initial investigation.
Police Capt. Manuel Canipas Jr., chief of Conner town, said the initial investigation showed that the truck’s engine suddenly stopped while it was ascending a portion of the road in Barangay Karikitan. The brakes also failed to function as it slid backward and eventually fell into a ravine.
The incident happened at around 5:50 p.m, Thursday, Oct. 31.
There were at least 11 wounded passengers who were taken to the Conner district hospital, while the 11 others who were injured were brought to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center. The three other passengers sustained minor injuries, according to the police.
Police said 18 of the fatalities were residents of Barangay Lattut, Rizal, Cagayan. The other fatality was from Apayao.
The passengers killed in the accident were Pamittan, Margie; Aberion, Amparo; Talay, Brenda; Talay, Imelda; Dajucon, Pacita; Gundan, Mercy; Patay, Leticia Bayaua; Milo, Susana; Molina, Rosemarie; Dacuycuy, Hermilina; Molina, Ludalina; Batallones, Aida; Asperela, Domingo; Milo, Mamerto; Sabatan, Conrado; Mamauag, Claro; Talay, Jason; Pagtama, Rudy; and Sosa, Reymundo.
“The truck fell on its rear first and the passengers were crushed,” local police official Canipas also told Agence France Presse.
(with a report from Agence France Presse)
