6 die, 4 hurt in Benguet smashup

TUBA, Benguet, Philippines — Six persons died while four others were injured in a smashup of three vehicles in this town at dawn yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as garbage collectors Belly Joe Collantes, John Rex Hilario, Raymart Lachica and Rustom de la Rama, and truck drivers Jonathan Vargas and Mark Collantes.

Dela Rama and Mark Collantes died while being treated in a hospital while the four others died at the scene.

Taken to the Baguio General Hospital for treatment of injuries were garbage collectors Ernesto Collantes, Romeo Collantes, Philip de la Rosa, all of Irisan, Baguio City, and truck driver Merson Manalastas of La Trinidad, Benguet.

Reports said that a garbage truck owned by the city government of Baguio was travelling along a downhill portion of the highway when its driver, Mark Collantes, lost control of the wheel.

The truck rearended another truck driven by Merson Manalastas, according to Col. Elmer Ragay, Benguet police director.

Manalastas lost control of the wheel, causing his vehicle to hit a trailer truck driven by Vargas.

The dump truck continued its descent and hit a concrete barrier before it rolled on its side, Ragay said.