Van falls off ravine in Benguet: 1 dead, 15 hurt

MANILA, Philippines – A white passenger van fell 50 meters into a ravine along the Halsema Highway in Atok, Benguet Saturday morning, November 30, a commuter reported.

John Vincent, who was on his way to Sagada in the province of Mountain Province, posted on his Twitter account pictures taken at the accident scene. He said he saw two survivors coming out of the wrecked vehicle.

@rapplerdotcom our Bus stops and we saw the Van below the cliff. Female came out first bloodied.

— John Vincent (@kaninglamig) November 30, 2013

Local police have already responded and ambulances were already sent to the site of the accident, according to PSupt Davy Vicente, of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR).

A passenger identified as Bernabe Lablabong, a resident of Nagtipunan in Quirino province, was dead on arrival at the hospital, according to the police report. All of the other 15 passengers, including the driver, Jimmy Bangbanga, survived the accident. Here are the names of the survivors:

• SPO3 Sabyat Rolex, 40 
• Ngosi Tino, 45
• Danilo Melvin, 18
• Victoria Licwasen, 33
• Bernaditte Dinisia, 32
• Elena Salipen, 65
• Jake Bantasan, 29
• Tito Ingosan, 57 
• Rachel Bacte, 16
• Ben Bayas, 17
• Dona Jane, 1 year and 2 months
• Marietta Pagnas, 51
• Charlene Calabson
• A female passenger identified as Taro

Many survivors were brought to the Atok District Hospital for treatment while others were rushed to the Baguio General Hospital, according to the police. – Rappler.com