34 hurt in Mountain Province road crash

Rescuers help one of the passengers of a jeepney that crashed into the side of a mountain when it lost its brakes along the Maligcong-Bontoc road in Mountain Province on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of MDRRMO-Bontoc)

CITY OF CAUAYAN, Isabela, Philippines — A total of 34 individuals on board a jeepney suffered injuries, with 11 requiring hospitalization, after the vehicle figured in an accident along the Maligcong-Bontoc road in Mountain Province on Monday (Feb. 5), authorities said.

Johanna Padaen, Bontoc disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the jeepney’s brakes and steering wheel malfunctioned before the vehicle collided with the side of a mountain.

Padaen said the jeepney was driven by David Focasan Jr. of Barangay Maligcong in Bontoc town.

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Eleven of the injured individuals were admitted to the Bontoc General Hospital, while the remaining 23 have been released after receiving treatment.

Passenger Clayton Cawed said the jeepney came from Maligcong, and while traversing the Maligcong-Bontoc road and approaching Am-anani, Bontoc Ili, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably due to brake failure.

The driver, in an effort to prevent a more severe incident, intentionally crashed the jeepney into the mountainside along Sac-angan, Caluttit, averting a potential plunge off the cliff.