Delivery boy killed after mall elevator crashes

CEBU, Philippines - A man who was on his way to deliver goods in a mall in Cebu City was killed after the elevator he was on crashed down yesterday afternoon.

Juan Udto, 24, from Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City, succumbed to severe injuries after he was crushed when the cargo elevator inside the mall malfunctioned and crashed downwards.

According to Police Officer 3 Cristobal Geronimo of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office, Udto was on his way to deliver goods from the fourth floor of the mall to the third floor.

Witnesses told police that they saw Udto loading the goods inside the elevator when it suddenly malfunctioned and crashed downward.

Police said Udto was not even fully inside the elevator yet when it crashed.

Udto was immediately taken to the nearest medical facility by emergency respondents, but was declared dead on arrival. He succumbed to fatal injuries on the head.

Police investigators said what happened was purely accidental, but they will still look into the incident.

According to its official statement, the mall management said it will shoulder all the hospital and burial fees.

It clarified though that the elevator is owned by a tenant of the mall.

The management assured that it will provide a two-year financial support for the family equal to Udto's current salary. (FREEMAN)