CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A tragic road mishap claimed the lives of four individuals and left another critically injured after a black Suzuki Ertiga fell into a deep ravine and overturned multiple times in Sitio Monigue, Barangay Mambuaya, late Sunday afternoon, December 28.
Initial investigation by Police Corporal Fredirick Cajuelan, traffic investigator of Police Station 8–Bulua, revealed that the vehicle carrying plate number GAL 1158 was navigating a downhill portion of the road when the driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to plunge off the cliff.
Three passengers were declared dead on the spot, while another died shortly after arrival at the hospital. The victims were identified as:
• Jaime Galarpe, 59, and his wife Elvie, 53, both residents of Bayanga
• Arlene Gamayot, 52, and Rachel Botanas, 42, both from Mambuaya
The driver, identified as Chief Tanod William Jabien, survived but sustained severe injuries and is currently confined in the hospital.
Authorities said the group had just come from a resort and were heading home when the incident occurred. Due to thick vegetation and the steep drop, rescuers from the CDRRMO and BFP struggled to locate the victims immediately. When found, most of the passengers had been thrown out of the vehicle and suffered severe head injuries. The Ertiga was later discovered stuck against a mango tree, with only the driver secured by a seatbelt and left inside the wrecked vehicle.
Emergency responders rushed the victims to the nearest hospital, but doctors declared four of them dead on arrival.
Police confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and an investigation is ongoing to determine whether brake failure or speeding contributed to the horrific accident.
Authorities once again reminded motorists to exercise extreme caution when traveling through steep and slippery roads, especially during the holiday season when road accidents tend to spike.