Two HS students die from Kalinga capital road smash-up

BAGUIO CITY (October 29, 2024) -- Two High School students died at the hospital while three others were hurt suffered multiple injuries after a freak road smash-up Monday afternoon along the National Road in Manuel Agyao Boulevard, Purok 4, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The fatalities were identified as Hazam B. Bawalan and John Raye S. Vasquez, both Grade 9, while those being treated at the hospital were identified as Sheldon Balucnit, also Grade 9; Francis Aballe Mag-aso, 46 and Joyce Achawon.

Bawalan, Vasquez and Balucnit are students of Kalinga National High School in Tabuk City, while Magaso is the driver of tricycle cab locally known as "ongbak" or “tuktuk”, while Achawon is a teacher at a Baptist School in Bulanao, also in Tabuk City.

Probers said the three students were on board a motorcycle along the national highway at around 12:20 PM Monday when their two-wheeled vehicle rammed up into the center island of the road, landed on the opposite lane and smashed unto the side of the approaching "Ongbak" where Magaso and Achawon were riding.

The impact sent the three students against the "Ongbak" which tumbled unto the pavement.

Balucnit was referred to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan while Magaso and Achawon were also brought to a hospital in Tabuk City.