Gov’t dump truck falls off ravine in Danao, 8 wounded

PO1 Rommel Costan, traffic investigator of Danao City Police Station, said the accident took place at 1 p.m. after the engine and air brake of the Isuzu dump truck (SDC-896) malfunctioned The survivors were identified as Felipe Pepito Jr., 37, the truck driver; Mary Ann Camanse, 33; Clairah Agsoy, 4; Vicky Ann Malbago, 27; Luigie Tee, 8; Stephen Tautjo, 2; Feliciano Tautjo, 64; and Remedios Tautjo, 64

A DUMP truck owned by the Danao City Government fell down a cliff in the mountain barangay of Lawaan last Thursday afternoon, wounding the driver and seven others.

PO1 Rommel Costan, traffic investigator of Danao City Police Station, said the accident took place at 1 p.m. after the engine and air brake of the Isuzu dump truck (SDC-896) malfunctioned.

The victims were identified as Felipe Pepito Jr., 37, the truck driver; Mary Ann Camanse, 33; Clairah Agsoy, 4; Vicky Ann Malbago, 27; Luigie Tee, 8; Stephen Tautjo, 2; Feliciano Tautjo, 64; and Remedios Tautjo, 64.

Before the accident, the truck stopped in Lawaan, 20 kms. from the town proper, to change a flat tire.

The truck came from Barangay Poblacion and was heading to Barangay Pili.

When they resumed their trip, the truck’s engine and brake failed while on a downhill curve.

Camanse, Agsoy and Malbago were seated in front beside Pepito. Tee and the Tautjos were at the back.

Rock Pepito drove the truck toward the side of the road to stop it. But it hit a rock and swerved toward the opposite lane until it jumped off the cliff 45 meters deep.

Police and rescuers took the survivors to the provincial hospital in Barangay Poblacion, Danao City. Four of them were transferred to Cebu City.

The driver was released from the hospital to be detained at the traffic management office.

Costan said they are waiting for the victims to file a complaint against Pepito.

The Danao City Government said it will help the victims with their hospital expenses.