Van Accident in Kalinga Leaves Two Injured
Two men were seriously injured after their van plunged into a 200-meter ravine along the Tabuk-Bontoc-Enrile Road in Sitio Tomyangan, Dupag, Tabuk City, Kalinga, on August 18. The incident, involving the van plunging ravine in Kalinga, occurred while the vehicle was en route carrying construction materials.
According to local authorities, the van landed near the Pasil River after the accident. Officials reported that the victims were immediately rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Victims Identified and Rescued
Community members said the driver was identified as Jerry Mayyon, 44, from Ilocos Sur, while the passenger was 19-year-old Cesar Marquez Jr. Both were rushed to Kalinga Provincial Hospital, where they are now recovering from their injuries.
Investigators revealed that the van was traveling from Pinukpuk, Kalinga, to Ilocos Sur when the brakes reportedly failed. This brake failure caused the vehicle, which was loaded with tiles for a housing project, to lose control and plunge into the ravine.
Survivors’ Quick Actions During the Fall
During the fall, Marquez managed to leap out of the van through a window before it landed. Meanwhile, Mayyon, trapped inside the vehicle, crawled out once the van finally stopped along the riverbank. Their quick thinking likely saved their lives, local responders noted.
Rescue Efforts and Recovery Operations
Rescuers from Tabuk City, along with teams from neighboring towns of Lubuagan and Pasil, swiftly arrived at the scene. Law enforcement units collaborated to secure the area, evacuate the injured men, and later recover the van from the river.
Officials emphasized the importance of vehicle maintenance and road safety, especially on mountainous routes like the Tabuk-Bontoc-Enrile Road, where accidents can be fatal.
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