Thirteen people died as a result of a tragic road accident that occurred in barangay Bangbangayen in Buguias, Benguet yesterday afternoon (September 9). The private jeepney (a Ford Fiera) that they were riding reportedly malfunctioned causing it to fall down a 100-meter ravine and into a creek. The incident happened between 4:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon.
Eight of the passengers including the driver died on the spot while four others expired while being brought to hospitals. The thirteenth fatality passed away in the early morning of September 10 while being treated at the SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart in Baguio City.
All of the passengers except for the driver are students of a national high school located in Poblacion, Buguias. Efren Dalisdis, the driver of the Ford Fiera, went to fetch his son John Ray at the school and schoolmates hitched on the way to barangay Amlimay. According to a statement by Buguias PNP Chief Fernando Botangen, the truck stopped at Bangbangayen to pick up another three students. When the truck was about to move forward, the engine suddenly died, then the truck moved backwards causing it to fall off a ravine.
Three of the passengers were rushed to hospitals in Baguio City. One was brought to the Lutheran Hospital in Abatan, Buguias. Charee Bestre, one of the three brought to Baguio City, died while undergoing treatment at the SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart.
The victims have been identified as follows:
1. Efren Dalisdis, 45, the driver
2. Jera Mayao, 15
3. Maricel Basatan, 13
4. Jera Madiano, 15
5. Sheribeth Simeon, 12
6. Jasmine Lestino, 15
7. Minerva Menzi, 16
8. Angie Aguien, 15
9. Meljoy Agustin, 15
10. Ivonne Bestre, 13
11. John Ray Dalisdis, 16
12. Mari Faith Lamsis, 16
13. Charee Bestre, 15
Those injured are:
1. Reyshan Latuwed, 18
2. Rose Bankin, 15
3. Elejoy Agyapas, 17
Below are photos of the Benguet accident (Sep. 9, 2014) courtesy of the Buguias Municipal Police Station.
