1 dead, 5 hurt as SUV falls into Benguet ravine

TUBLAY, Benguet  – A farmer was killed, while five of his companions were badly hurt when the Toyota SUV they were riding in dove into a  55-meter ravine here in Sitio Sapuan, Barangay Ambassador afternoon of Feb. 14.

Tublay police said the south bound private Toyota Hi-lux with plate number TTF-652 driven by Lito Mirason was negotiating a rough road when it was about to overtake a motorcycle, but  suddenly fell down into the ravine.

The driver’s brother, Anselmo, 58, also a farmer, from Ambuclao, Bokod town in Benguet, was immediately killed in the accident, declared Benguet General Hospital physician Mary Joy Torio while Wilson Licwasen, 44, also a farmer, from Kabayan town, Benguet and residing at Sapuan sustained injuries on his right foot and left hand.

Willy Licwasen, 17 , from  Sapuan sustained abrasions on his left foot while  Alex Costino, 70, also a farmer, from sitio Coroz, also in Ambassador sustained abdominal injuries and abrasion on his left eye.

DindoCostino, 21, also a farmer from sitio Coroz, Ambassador was hurt at this left foot while the older Mirason y Asiong, 61, also a farmer from sitio Labey, also in Ambassador, Tublay had a fracture in the right hand.

All victims were brought by citizens who responded and rescuers from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Benguet at Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad, Benguet for treatment. 

Tublay police station commander Senior Insp. Davis Locloc said investigators are still probing the cause of the accident to determine the culpabilities of the latest vehicular mishap in the region.

More than a week ago, 15 were killed while more than 30 others including two foreign tourists and comedian Arvin “Tado” Gutierrez were killed when a Florida bus plunged into a 120-meter ravine in Talubin, Bontoc, Mt. Province.

A day after, another passenger jeepney ferrying more than 50 passengers fell into a canal in Licuan-Baay town in Abra, killing five and injuring 40 more.