A 54-year old woman was killed while six others including four minors were injured after the vehicle they were on went beyond the paved road and down a steep slope in Inabanga at 5 a.m. Saturday.

The fatality was identified as Graciana Avergonzado, the mother-in-law of the sports utility vehicle’s (SUV) driver.

Others on board the ill-fated SUV were the driver John Rey Polistico, his mother, Elizabeth Polistico, and four children.

All of the victims are residents of Barangay Balintawak, Talibon.

According to John Polistico, he was unable to notice an incoming motorcycle along a sharp turn in Barangay Luyo, Inabanga prompting him to make a sudden turn to avoid collision.

While trying to avoid the motorcycle, the vehicle reportedly hit a pedestrian which prompted Polistico to make another turn, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

The SUV, a Toyota Hilux, then went over the road and plummeted 10 feet down to a rocky ground, Polistico said

He noted that they were all stuck inside the vehicle but were immediately helped out by residents in the area who brought them to the Dagohoy Hospital in Inabanga.

The injured pedestrian, identified as 76-year-old Celsa Melencia, a resident of the said barangay, was also rushed to the hospital.

According to Polistico, Avergonzado was alive but unconscious as they were brought to the hospital for treatment.

However, she succumbed to her injuries minutes after arriving at the emergency room.

The three minors suffered minor cuts while the other had a broken leg.

All of the victims who survived are still currently being treated at the said hospital. (Allen Doydora)