The pre-war Talubangi bridge in Kabankalan City, collapsed and crashed into the river at about 1:40 p.m. yesterday, bringing with it a 4-year-old child who remained missing as of press time, despite efforts of various search and rescue groups to locate him, the police said.

The missing child was identified by the police as Jemar Cachupa.

Cachupa's sister, Jenli, 8, survived, as she managed to cling to a railing of the steel and concrete bridge before she was rescued, while their mother, Jenalyn, was unhurt but was shaken by the incident, Chief Inspector Calixto Mabugat, Kabankalan police chief, said.

Mabugat said Jenalyn and her two children were on the Talubangi bridge, which is no longer being used by vehicles, when almost half of the northern portion of the bridge crashed into the river.

The old Talubangi bridge, which was reportedly constructed before World War II, has a length of about 100 meters.

Mabugat said the search and rescue of the missing child was temporarily suspended last night, because of a strong current and darkness.

He, however, said the search operations will continue today.

Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. and Vice Governor Isidro Zayco were on the scene of the tragedy to supervise the search operation.

The old Talubangi bridge was closed to vehicles, after the completion of a new bridge beside it. Last month, a concrete bridge connecting barangays Gil Montilla and Nauhang in Sipalay City, also collapsed, causing injuries to 10 passengers of a cargo truck who also fell into a river.*GPB

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