Driver dead, 6 hurt as vehicles plunge down Benguet ravines

BUGUIAS, Benguet – A driver died while six others were hurt in two vehicular accidents in two Benguet towns last week.   Here on July 30 at around 7:45 p.m. of July 30 a passenger jeep fell down a 100-meter ravine at Sitio Impugong, Baculungan Sur.

Chief Insp. Joselito U. Cabalza said the Sarao jeep was driven by Jay-Ar Riquardo native of Tabuk, Kalinga who died on the spot along with passenger Mariano Lumiguid “Bong” Dominguez Sr. of Barangay Loo here.

Police investigation disclosed the vehicle came from Central Buguias when incurred mechanical defect making fall down the precipice.

Injured were Merna Bayas Dominguez of Loo  and Jay-Ar Calilao Bogar, 23, laborer and  native Conner, Apayao were brought to Lutheran Hospital at Barangay Abatan for treatment.

Jojo Dodong Briones, 18, laborer from Cervantes Ilocos Sur was unhurt during the incident. Respectfully submitted for your information  and progress report to follow.

Meanwhile, at about 6:20 p.m., another traffic accident happened at Km 43, Balangabang, Abiang, Atok which involved an Isuzu elf truck registered to Orlando Talbino and driven by JuanitoLonty Allan, 36, farmer, resident of Abas, Poblacion, Kibungan, also in the province.

The vehicle was descending towards La Trinidad, Benguet loaded with vegetables when it fell down a ravine around 10 meters deep from the highway

Passengers were identified as Brenson Ababa-en, 22, farmer, of Palina, Kibungan; Dewey Guidawen, 25, farmer, of Poblacion Kibungan, and Jefrence AblazaTayan, 24, farmer, of Central Kibungan.

All passengers sustained injuries and were rushed by responding police to Atok District hospital for treatment.