Five dead, nine hurt after van fell in Mountain Province

BONTOC, Mountain Province — Four individuals died on the spot, one expired at the hospital, while nine others were injured in a mishap on the evening of 4 April 2025, at Ampawilen, Sadanga, Mountain Province.

The victims, identified as Vance Quinto Hernandez Jr., Gerardo Navarro, Veronica Hipolito, and one unidentified woman, were killed on the spot. Victim Jay Niño Belando was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The injured passengers were identified as Mary Joy Reyes, 45, a resident of Manila; Archie Reyes, 25, Manila; Cherish Quimpan, 20, Cavite; Manuel Lap, 26, Malvar Batangas; Elvis Acupan, 25, Ilocos Norte; Ham Sua, 23, Tagaytay; Arlette Sarmiento, Ilocos Norte; Christine Cuidamat, Tagaytay; and Dan Dacoycoy, 24, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

The victims were on board a white van when the incident occurred. They were said to be en route to Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

At around 10:00 PM, the vehicle the victims were riding in was traversing the Mountain Province-Kalinga-Cagayan Road. The van slipped, and the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to dive into a 50-meter ravine.

The nine injured individuals are still confined at the Bontoc General Hospital in Bontoc, Mountain Province.