By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 38-year-old woman died in what was deemed as a freak accident inside the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) at Lapuz, Iloilo City afternoon of July 12.
Police identified the victim as Ma. Fe Galvez, 38, a resident of Barangay Morobuan, Jordan, Guimaras.
Initial investigation by Port Police Officer 2 Ruth Galvez and PP01 Randy Boy Panes indicated that the incident happened at MV Fortune Goodies which was docked at PPA’s south perimeter.
The vessel was unloading wheat using a crane machine on board.
Investigators identified Reno Butac, 32, resident of Oro Culai Balulang Cagayan de Oro City, as the crane operator.
Butac was maneuvering the crane to the hopper when the swivel exploded, which led the clamshell to swing and fall to the ground.
Unfortunately, the clamshell hit the victim.
Galvez’s co-workers immediately rushed her to West Visayas State University Medical Center.
However, she died while undergoing treatment.
Butac was held in police custody.
