2 critical, 12 hurt as jeep falls down ravine

TUBLAY, Benguet – Two persons are still in critical condition while 12 others were hurt after a private jeep lost its brakes and dived down a 100-meter ravine here in Sitio Suyok, Barangay Daclan early morning Monday.

Only 46-year-old Orlando Acosta and 62-year-old Walsi Tomasa, from Tublay were confined at the Benguet General Hospital for serious head injuries.

Injured were Efren Bayeng, 30; Benedict Bayeng, 30 from Damsite, Caliking, Atok, Benguet; Jomar Emoco, 15, Melicio Mariano, 38; Jonie Sinlao, 38; and Efren Mariano, 40; from Paoay, Atok; Jonel Cutay, 12, from Damsite, Caliking, Atok, Lindo Nabus, 23, from Domolpot, Bayaan, also of Tublay; Rogine Acosta (driver), 21, from Barian, Caliking; Abraham Buddong, 50 from Bayaan, Tublay; Rommel Acosta, 29 and Lydia Acosta, 44, also from Damsite, Caliking, Atok.

They survived with minor scratches.

Passengers said the driver evaded on oncoming vehicle but the steering wheel locked after turning forcing the vehicle to fall down the cliff.

The ill-fated vehicle was bound to the capital town of La Trinidad.

The incident is the second-worst highway accident in Benguet since the Aug. 18 disaster in Banangan, Sablan town where an Eso-Nice bus fell down a 200-meter ravine killing 42 passengers.

The LTFRB-Central Office is still ruling on Eso-Nice’s franchise after its one-month suspension has ended and allowed again its buses to ply their Baguio-Ilocos Sur routes.