TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Seven people died while fifteen others were injured after a dump truck loaded with passengers suddenly stopped in an ascending portion of the road, moved backward and fell into a 5-meter deep ravine at sitio Binongsay, barangay Malina-awa, here, Saturday morning.
Police authorities identified those who died on the spot as Crisenta Casirayan, of legal age, Lucita Mangagom, and Doming Matalang, of legal age while those who were declared dead on arrival in the different hospitals were Ghelyn Khim Gallema, 13,Rufina Limto Dawagon, 49, Jules Mangagom Aldester, 7, and Edmund Lagwingon Mangagom, of legal age, all residents of New Tanglag, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
The injured occupants of the ill-fated dump truck which was driven by a certain Mark John Sumal Lazaro, 20, singled and a resident of Mosimos, Dupag, Tabuk City, Kalinga were Luming Gallamoy, 48; Gaspar Edoc, legal age; Willy Salida, legal age; Cecilia Balangui, legal age; Stallon Mangagom, minor; Purinomo Galamto, legal age; Divine Mangagom, 18; Elvira Otal Simangon, 27; Aprilyn Otal, 25, Basilio Baydon, legal age; Dominador Casirayan, 52, Corazon Matalang, 54; Kiefer Gallamoy Simangan, 1; Nelia Malawis Sabaway, 50; and Jeniffer Malawis Sabaway, 13.
Initial police investigation showed that the dump truck was heading towards Barangay Balawag and upon reaching the place of incident, particularly at the ascending portion of the road, the engine of the vehicle went off that caused the same to move backward until it fell into the 5-meter deep ravine/
Responding police operatives and emergency rescuers immediately rushed the occupants of the dump truck to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, Almora General Hospital and Holy Trinity Medical Clinic for medical treatment.
The involved dump truck suffered heavy damages on its front portion, including broken windshield while the driver is now under custody of the Tabuk City Police Office upon his voluntary surrender awaiting the filing of appropriate charges against him.
Probers are still looking into the real cause of the accident that resulted to the untimely death of some of the occupants of the dump truck.
By Dexter A. See