11 die as jeeney slips down ravine in Mountain Province

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BAGUIO CITY—Eleven people died while 10 others were hurt when their jeepney fell 47 meters down a deep ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province on Sunday, police said Monday.

The vehicle bound for Barangay (village) Dalican in Bontoc was ascending a road in Sitio (settlement) Langtagan in Barangay Balitian at 2 p.m. when the driver stopped to allow a passenger to pick up a bag that had fallen off, said Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera police director.

When the jeepney moved, its wheels started to slip toward the ravine but stopped on the edge, a rear tire dangling, police said.

Passengers sitting on the roof of the vehicle panicked despite efforts by the driver, Antonio Dulawan, to calm them. They jumped off, causing the vehicle to fall, Magalong said.

Seven passengers—Sherleene Benis, Maryanne Camfoli, Chuwarey Arokod, Jonalyn Sallongen, Teresa Aronchay, Chagon Chamkas and Adelene Domakyon—died on the spot.

Policemen, Army soldiers and volunteers from the village were alerted by mobile phone and pulled out the other passengers.

They took the victims to the Bontoc General Hospital, but four—Helen Lachika, Chanda Chamkas, Delia Sumilao and Melvin Aronchay—died while being treated, police said.

Dulawan, the jeepney owner identified as Ruben Piska, and four other passengers were unhurt, Magalong said.