3 killed as truck carrying chickens falls into ravine in Antipolo

Three people were killed after a truck carrying some 2,000 chickens went out of control and fell into a 120-foot deep ravine in Antipolo City before dawn Thursday. Radio dzBB's Lito Laparan reported that the truck (plate number UGM 307) was on its way to a chicken-dressing plant when it skidded and went out of control while cruising Marcos Highway in San Jose village. The three fatalities were truck driver Dodie Ramos and helpers Hakata Ramos and RJ San Juan, radio dzMM reported police officials as saying. Local village officials said they suspect the truck went out of control while negotiating a part of the highway at about 1:30 a.m.

But investigators are also looking at two other angles. Police officer 2 JR Agra said they are still checking if the driver was either under the influence of liquor or had fallen asleep while driving. Residents said the driver's two companion even tried jumping off the truck but still fell off the ravine. Meanwhile, the driver was left inside the truck as it plummeted. Residents and bystanders tried to catch some of the chickens that managed to spring out of the cages that fell off from the truck, the report said. "[Iyong] mga sumaklolo, kanya-kanya nang dampot ng manok," said GMA reporter John Consulta, who was at the scene. The fatalities' remains were brought to nearby St. James Funeral Homes. - with Mark Merueñas/LBG, SD, GMANews.TV