BUGUIAS, Benguet – A 20-year old student died after he was bumped by an elf truck while he was taking pictures of his sister in the vicinity of the view deck at Cotcot, Bangao, here, Thursday afternoon
Chief Inspector Peter Dapliyan, chief of the Buguias Municipal Police Station, identified the fatality as Denver Martes Patpat, 20, single, student and a resident of Dalicno, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet while the driver of the ill-fated truck was named as Rodel Lagadan Polido, single, driver and a resident of Cadad-anan, Tadian, Mt, Province.
Initial police investigation showed the victim, together with the members of his family, were en route to Baguio City after attending a family reunion in Guinzadan, Bauko, Mountain Province and while he was taking pictures of his sister in the vicinity of the view deck, the Baguio-bound ill-fated truck lost its brakes and hit him causing him to be sprawled on the concrete pavement.
The victim was immediately rushed by concerned motorists to the Lutheran District Hospital for medical treatment but he was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians while the driver attempted to escape by running towards the garden and allegedly tried to commit suicide by drinking a battery solution that he was able to find in a nearby shanty.
However, concerned residents were able to notice his presence in the area and was also rushed by the people to the same hospital for medical treatment where he was later confined for further observation.
The remains of the victim was brought by his relatives to Dalicno, Itogon, Benguet where he will be accorded the necessary wake and burial.
By Dexter A. See
