TANUDAN, Kalinga – A 34-year old loader operator died after the heavy equipment he was handling allegedly encounter mechanical trouble while negotiating an ascending portion of a road and fell off a 350-meter deep ravine at Lonong, Mabaca, here, Friday.
Police authorities identified the victim as Cristobal Sanchez, 34, married and a resident of Luplupa, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Initial police investigation showed the victim, together with two companions, were on board a unit of heavy equipment to deliver materials for a construction project in the area and while negotiating an ascending portion of the road, the said heavy equipment allegedly suffered from mechanical trouble that caused its engine to suddenly stop.
At this juncture, the heavy equipment started to move backward until it fell into a 350-meter deep ravine with the operator left inside his cabin while his two companions were able to jump out of the equipment before it fee into the ravine.
The victim was rushed to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital for medical treatment after being rescued by his companions but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians due to multiple head and body injuries.
By Dexter A. See