Two Benguet miners die in gas suffocation

ITOGON, Benguet – Two miners died of gas suffocation inside a tunnel here at Macaang, Gold Creek, Ucab June 27 at about 8:30 a.m.

Police identified the victims as Ronald Cayabas, 27, and Mario Puguon, 28, both married and natives of Payag-ew, Sagada, Mountain Province.

Police investigation disclosed the victims entered their mine tunnel at about 8:30 a.m. while two companions followed them an hour later.

Upon reaching about 200 meters inside, one of their companions identified only as Romel said he felt dizzy while he saw a certain Wilner who was about two meters ahead of him suddenly collapse.

Romel managed to crawl near Wilner and helped him go outside the tunnel.

They reported the incident to barangay officials and rescuers who retrieved Puguon’s body at about 1 p.m. which was immediately rushed to SLU Hospital in Baguio but pronounced dead on arrival.

The body of Ronald found dead on the spot.