ATOK, Benguet – Two people died while another individual was injured after their vehicle plunged into a 100-meter deep ravine along the Halsema highway, particularly at Km. 27, Topdac, here, Friday dawn.
Senior Superintendent Florante Camuyot, officer-in-charge of the Benguet Provincial Police Office, identified the faalities as SPO1 Clifford Dimas Valdez, 36, married, driver of the ill-fated vehicle, a member of the Cordillera, Administrative Region Training School (CARTS) based in Teachers Camp and Dra. Estelita Valdez Sanches, of legal age, married, dentist and a resident of Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet while he named the injured vehicle occupant as Bradly Dimas Valdez, 29, self-employed and a resident of Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet, all natives of Buguias, Benguet.
Initial police investigation showed that the three individuals who were on board a black pickup came from the burial of a relative in Buguias and were en route to La Trinidad town when the driver allegedly lost control of their vehicle that caused it to plunge into the deep ravine.
Rescuers immediately responded to the crime scene and rushed the victims to the various hospitals but SPO1 Valdez and Dra. Sanches died while undergoing medical treatment while Bradly is still confined to the Benguet General Hospital for further medical treatment due to the injuries he sustained.
The case is still subject to further investigation by the personnel of the Atok Municipal Police Station.
By Dexter A. See
