Live audience member dies in accident during ‘Wowowin’ taping

One member of the audience, identified as Estrella Bognot, fell from the bleachers of the studio and hit her head on a fire extinguisher. (File photo: Wowowin/Facebook)

What was supposed to be a fun and lucky day turns tragic as a woman, who is part of the live audience, died in an accident on the set of Wowowin, a variety show aired by GMA Network and hosted by Willie Revillame.

It was on Tuesday,  January 22, when the tragedy happened during the show’s taping at around 5:25 p.m.

One member of the audience, identified as Estrella Bognot, fell from the bleachers of the studio and hit her head on a fire extinguisher.

But it was not only Bognot who fell from the bleachers as another woman, named Milagros Espiritu, also toppled.

While Espirtu suffered a fracture from the fall, Bognot, however, died in the incident.

In a joint statement by GMA Network and WBR Entertainment, it was Security Marshal Roel Batang who witnessed the accident, saying that the two members of the audience “lost their balance while singing and dancing during the opening act.”

Bognot and Espiritu, according to GMA and WBR, were immediately attended by the in-house paramedic and were brought to the Delgado Hospital.

“WBR Entertainment and GMA Network deeply commiserate with, and extended immediate assistance to, the families and loved ones of the victims,” it said.

As of writing, the program’s host has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

Before Wowowin, Willie had hosted a hit noontime television show, Wowowee, which was aired by ABS-CBN. A stampede that became infamously known as the “Ultra Stampede” occurred during the show’s first anniversary in February 2006 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City after tens of thousands of people pushed their way to the stadium to be part of the event.

More than 70 were killed while hundreds were injured during the stampede.