Government truck falls down Abra rice paddy; two killed

MALIBCONG, Abra – A farmer was killed on the spot while another died later at a hospital when the government dump truck they were riding in along with 37 passengers fell down a rice paddy  here July 8, at about 4:45 p.m.

A police report said the accident transpired along a road at Barangay Duldulao here involving white Isuzu dump truck owned by Malibcong local government driven by Robert Sagban, 32.

Investigation disclosed the vehicle driver lost control of the steering wheel causing it to fall down the rice paddy.

Some passengers said Sagban, apparently avoided the muddy portion of the road, caused by continuous rain causing him to lose control of the vehicle that plunged into a 20-foot ravine.

Sagban reportedly escaped after the incident.

Police said Ruben Gunawa, 47, married, farmer, and resident of Duldulao died on the spot while six other passengers namely; Fernando Boy-agan, Unisemo Gunawa, Norma Salabao, Digna Banatao, Loida Doque and Danilo Gamming were injured and brought to Abra Provincial Hospital by responding police for medical treatment.

However, Gamming was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Chief Insp. Vic Orcino, public information officer of the Abra police office, said the dump truck was carrying passengers that attended the oath-taking of the newly elected officials of Malibcong. – With a report from Freddie Lazaro