19 killed as truck falls into ravine in Apayao

November 1, 2019

BAGUIO CITY -- Nineteen persons died and 22  hurt when an Isuzu Elf truck loaded with palay and corn fell into a ravine in Sitio Gassud, Barangay Karikitan, Conner town in Apayao at around 7 pm Thursday.

Eighteen fatalities were identified. They are Aberion, Amparo Ole; Asperela, Domingo Gundan; Dacuycuy Hermalina; Dajucon, Pacita; Gundan, Mercy Pataras; Mamauag, Claro Culili; Pigaten, Milo Mamerto; Milo, Susana Ballesteros; Molina, Ludalina Talay; Molina, Rosemarie Bayaua; Pagtama, Rudy Velasco; Pamittan, Margie Agustin; Patay, Leticia Bayaua; Sabatan, Conrado Molina; Sosa, Reymundo Battad; Talay, Brenda Datul; Talay, Imelda Ole; and Talay, Jayson Verdadero.

The Apayao disaster office said the Isuzu Elf truck, which also had 70 passengers,  lost control of its brakes while going uphill to Conner town proper. It swiftly rolled backwards until it fell into a ravine.

The truck was owned and driven by Merlito Culili Gannaban, who was among those 22 who were hurt.

Policemen and rescue teams rushed the victims to the Conner District Hospital.

Twenty others who were atop the truck jumped to safety, authorities said.  DMS