4 killed as van plunges into Benguet ravine

BAGUIO CITY – A van bound for Quirino province fell into a steep ravine on Thursday night, leaving four people dead at Bokod town in Benguet province, police said.

Passengers Antonio Bulay, Alipio Bulay, and Julie Valencia, all of Alilem town in Ilocos Sur, were already dead when first responders reached the the bottom of the ravine in Sitio Guisset in Binga village.

Another passenger, Gemma Lorenzo, 28, of Itogon town in Benguet, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

Doctors are currently monitoring the condition of passengers Corazon Bulay and Nelly Joy Soriano. Six others, as well as the driver, are waiting to be discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

A relative of one of the injured passengers said the driver lost control of the van after its brakes failed. The driver’s identity and those of the six surviving passengers have not been released as of this posting. A total of 11 passengers were aboard the van when the incident happened.

Motorists passing by the area heard the victims crying out for help, and alerted rescuers.

The passengers are all related. They were on their way to a wedding and a clan reunion this weekend.

Authorities are still piecing together details about the accident as investigation is underway.  /kga