Woman passenger dies in Igbaras road crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A woman passenger died after a motorcycle crashed while traversing a remote village in Igbaras, Iloilo, on Sunday afternoon, April 19.

Police identified the fatality only as alias Clarise, 26, of Barangay Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The motorcycle driver, identified only as Ralph, 24, of Barangay Bolong Este, Santa Barbara, Iloilo, was seriously injured.

According to police reports, Clarise and her family had gone on an excursion to Guiritsan Falls in Barangay Igcabugao, Igbaras.

She invited her friend Ralph to join them.

On their way home, Clarise rode with Ralph.

While traveling along the Iloilo-Antique Road in Barangay Igcabugao, a village about 28 kilometers from the town proper, Ralph allegedly tried to overtake another vehicle on a downhill curve.

Police said Ralph lost control of the motorcycle, overshot the road, and fell into a cliff.

Clarise and Ralph were thrown off the motorcycle, with Clarise reportedly hitting her head on a rock.

Clarise suffered fatal head and body injuries.

Capt. Francis Donne Lomahan, chief of the Igbaras police, said the fatality was not wearing a protective helmet.

Under the Philippines’ Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009, both drivers and back riders are required to wear standard protective helmets on any road or highway.

Ralph also suffered multiple injuries.

Emergency responders from Tubungan rushed the victims to Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital in Guimbal.

Clarise was declared dead on arrival at about 5:02 p.m.

Ralph was later transferred to Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City for further treatment.