TUBA, Benguet – A 33-year old carpenter died after he was swept away by the strong water of a canal when he jumped off a private jeepney that suffered from mechanical trouble along Marcos highway, particularly at Lower Cadmangan, Poblacion, here, Thursday dawn.
Chief Inspector Jim Hilario, chief of the Tuba Municipal Police Station, identified the fatality as Jeffrey Vinluan, 33, single, carpenter, and a resident of Malindong, Binmaley, Pangasinan.
Initial police investigation showed the victim was seated in the back portion of a Baguio-bound private jeepney that allegedly incurred mechanical trouble upon reaching the place of incident.
The vehicle reportedly moved backward and then tilted to the direction of the canal prompting the victim to jump off the vehicle, but he went into the canal and was swept away by the strong water current.
Rescuers and responding police operatives were able to recover the lifeless body of the victim in Badioan after an hour of search and rescue operations.
The body of the victim was subsequently brought by his relatives to a local funeral parlor along Marcos highway for the conduct of the necessary autopsy before being brought ome by his relatives to their home province.
By Dexter A. See