BOKOD, Benguet – Four people died while eight others were injured after a Quirino-bound private van plunged into a deep ravine along the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya road, particularly at sitio Guesset, Tinongdan, here, Thursday night.
Police authorities identified the fatalities as Gemalyn Lorenzo, 28, a resident of Ucab, Itogon, Benguet; Antonio Bulay, 65, a resident of Alilem, Ilocos Sur, Julie Comba-as Valencia, 52, and Alfredo Bulay, 80, also a resident of Alilem, Ilocos Sur.
Initial police investigation showed that the victims were on board the ill-fated van driven by Joseph Gavino, 47, and a resident of San Vicente, Baguio City bound for Madella, Quirino to attend a reunion and a wedding in the said place.
The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while traversing the roadline that caused it to plunge into the ravine.
Rescuers immediately rushed the victims to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for medical treatment. One of the victims is still unconscious.
Because of the impact of the incident, three passengers died on the spot while one of them died in the hospital.
By Dexter A. See