Iligan carnival ride accident: 4 seriously hurt

ILIGAN CITY – It was supposed to be a night of amusement at a city fiesta fair for the Dalaygon family until their carnival ride turned into a nightmare on Saturday night at the Diyandi Fiesta Park in Barangay Saray here.

The carriage they were in detached from the rest of the kiddie ride, seriously injuring four members of the family – parents Lemuel Dalaygon, 29, a barangay kagawad, and Aila, 30; and children aged eight and seven years old. All victims are residents of Barangay Kalapagan, Initao, Misamis Oriental.

Only the four-year-old child was spared from injuries, as she landed on top of his father when they got thrown away.

The eight-year-old boy will undergo an operation at his right leg after it was broken. His father’s left palm was lacerated while his left knee also got injured. His mother’s breast hit the steel barrier, while his seven-year-old sister was also hurt.

The victims are now recuperating in a private hospital in Iligan City. Their attending physician declared them in a safe condition.

Carnival ride owner Jeiralyn Rosales committed to shoulder all the family’s expenses in the hospital.

“I am aware that it is our responsibility as owner whatever happens to our riders. It was an accident and we are now working to repair our rides to avoid the same accident,” Rosales said.

She said she just acquired the unit last May, and the Iligan fair was only the fourth area where the ride has been operated.

Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz said the local government unit will strictly enforce the safety rules because of what happened.

“No one should compromise the safety of the people. If the operators do it again we will kick them out from the pista park,” he said.

The Diyandi Fiesta Park, which was opened last September 1, is part of the month-long city fiesta celebration.

Aside from carnival rides and fun fairs, also put up in the park were food stalls, fruit stalls, and ready-to-wear stores.

Iliganons will celebrate the feast of patron St. Michael de Archangel on September 29. /kga