6 killed in road mishap

By Teddy Molina

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte -- Six persons died while five others were injured when the delivery truck they were riding overturned, lost its breaks while maneuvering a curve and crashed at the foot of a mountain here.

Police identified the fatalities as Redel Taal, 24; Brian Arellano, 15; Restituto Dayag, 46; Danny Seria, 33; Bernardo Molina and a woman identified only as Deling.

Police said the accident took place along the national highway of Pagudpud around 6 a.m. May 24 while the truck was heading towards Baguio City from Cagayan to deliver fruits and vegetables.

Senior Insp. Romeo Luga, chief of the Pagudpud Municipal Police, said driver Michael Olivas claimed he was negotiating a curve along the highway when he noticed the break was not working.

Olivas told probers he decided to crash the truck at the foot of the mountain at the vicinity of Barangay Pasaleng near the boundary of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte to prevent the vehicle from falling off the ravine.

Police said five of the passengers died on the spot while Molina succumbed to serious injuries at the Bangui District Hospital.

Probers said the fatalities were pinned down inside the truck when rescuers arrived.