Update On Vehicular Accident In Sablan, Benguet: 1 Killed And 9 Others Injured

Around 4:45 p.m. yesterday, a passenger bus figured in an accident along a stretch of the Naguilian Road in Banangan, Sablan, Benguet. The bus came from Baguio City and was headed to the province of Abra. One passenger died while nine others were injured. Those who incurred injuries were rushed by responders to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for treatment.

Police investigation showed that the driver of the bus lost control of the brakes. With the bus speeding down the highway, the driver rammed it into the side of the road. If he didn't, the bus would've fallen down a steep ravine.

The lone fatality has been identified as Tommy Quesada Hipol, a 40-year-old bus washer from Caoayan, Burgos, La Union. Hipol reportedly jumped out of the bus and hit a riprap wall when the driver announced that the vehicle was having a mechanical problem.

Of the nine passengers who were injured, 7 are from La Union, 1 from Baguio City, and 1 from Sablan, Benguet. Eight of them were taken to Baguio City for treatment. One refused saying she sustained minor injuries on her feet.

The bus was carrying 43 passengers. It was on its way to Abra with a stopover in La Union. The driver will be facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and serious physical injuries and damage to property.

Image credit: Rafael Valencia of 911 On Call: Baguio

This incident is just the latest in several vehicular accidents that occurred in the Cordillera region this year. It can be recalled that last February, one person died when a truck fell off a ravine in Bauko, Mt. Province. In March, another person perished when a truck fell in Lagawe, Ifugao. And just this past month, the driver of a van was killed when his vehicle collided with a passenger jeepney in Bontoc, Mt. Province.

1 Killed, 9 Others Injured In Vehicular Accident In Sablan, Benguet

One person died while nine others were injured when a passenger bus fell on its side along a stretch of Naguilian Road in barangay Banangan in Sablan, Benguet. Based on initial reports, the driver of the bus which was bound for La Union lost control of the vehicle's brakes causing it to turn over on its side. The accident happened between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday (June 4).

The injured passengers were rushed to the hospital by responders. This incident is just the latest in several vehicular accidents that occurred in the Cordillera region this year. It can be recalled that last February, one person died when a truck fell off a ravine in Bauko, Mt. Province. In March, another person perished when a truck fell in Lagawe, Ifugao. And just this past month, the driver of a van was killed when his vehicle collided with a passenger jeepney in Bontoc, Mt. Province.

This is a developing story. This page will be updated when more information about the accident in Sablan trickles in. [Read the updates on the accident here.]

2 Dead, 3 Injured When A Truck Fell Off A Ravine In Pinukpuk, Kalinga

Two persons died while three others were injured when the vehicle they were riding fell off a sharp ravine somewhere in barangay Allaguia in the municipality of Pinukpuk in the province of Kalinga. The road accident happened last November 9.

The two fatalities have been identified as Vicente Caowil Banatao (45 years old) and Camilo Caowil Banatao (63 years old). Those who escaped with injuries were Emilio Elat Banatao (72 years old), Mark Banatao (25 years old), and Reynold Gonayon Banatao (27 years old).

Emilio Banatao who also happens to be the barangay captain of Allaguia was reportedly behind the wheel of the mini-dump truck when it swerved off the road. The truck came from sitio Calao and was on its way to the Allaguia Elementary School. The truck was carrying sand, lumber and other construction materials which were to be used in repairing the school house.

The truck was navigating through a sloping portion of the road when the driver lost control of the brakes. The truck then rammed through a road parapet and fell off the road. The crash victims were immediately rushed to the nearest provincial hospital but Vicente and Camilo were declared dead on arrival. The survivors were treated of their injuries.