Jeep plunges into ravine;5 killed, fifteen injured

By Freddie G. Lazaro

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — A jeepney carrying 20 passengers fell into a 60-meter-deep ravine in Sitio Batyangan, Barangay Uso, Suyo, this province, killing five and injuring the rest morning of June 28.

The victims were on their way to school to attend a meeting when the driver lost control of the passenger jeepney along the slippery road when its brakes failed.

Insp. Pedro Barbado, Suyo chief of police, identified the five dead as Raquel Elpa, Ening Pucnid, Charlene Sicayod, Loreta Macgalo and Salome Abbel; all residents in Sition Batyangan, Barangay Suyo, Ilocos Sur.

Barbado said the victims were all declared dead on arrival at the Tagudin General Hospital.

He said the 15 injured victims included the driver, identified as Argie Hermosa, 24, a resident of Sitio Batyangan, Barangay Uso in Suyo.

Barbado said the accident happened around 9:30 a.m. A motor rider discovered the accident after he heard the victims’ screams for help.