BANNA, Ilocos Norte – A 21-year-old man died and five individuals were injured when a truck loaded with sacks of palay (unhusked rice) plunged into a ravine on the Banna-Batac Road in Sitio Payao, Barangay 1 Valenciano, this town, on Wednesday night, Nov. 20.
Police identified the fatality as Marco D. Llanes of Barangay Barong, Dingras, Ilocos Norte.
Investigation said the victims were onboard an Isuzu Elf truck when its brakes malfunctioned while approaching a sharp curve.
The driver, Homer Ventura, 43, lost control of the steering wheel and the truck ended up in the ravine.
Ventura and passengers Marco, Mark Natan, 29; Randel B. Llanes, 24; Al V. Llanes, 33; and Kelvin G. Ballesteros, 31, single, all residents of Barangay Barong, were injured.
Police took the victims to the hospital where Marco was declared dead on arrival due to serious injuries and his companions recuperating.
A follow-up investigation is ongoing.