At least six people died while 11 others were reportedly injured when the vehicle they were riding fell into a deep ravine in Maddela town of Quirino early yesterday morning.
Chief Inspector Avelino Cuntapay, head of the Police Community Relations of Quirino Provincial Police Office, said the incident happened along a zigzag road in the mountainous part of Barangay Ysmael at around 2:30 a.m.
“The initial investigation stated that the vehicle lost its brakes while travelling along the zigzag and descending portion of the road,” said Cuntapay.
Six people died on the spot, including the driver identified as Edgar Taccaban. The five other fatalities were Ester Mamauag, 57; Matdang Mamauag, 50; Maxie Mamauag, 50; Salcedo Mamauag, 58; Nora Cardona, 52.
All the victims came from Cauayan City for an outing in Quirino province when the van (BVU-145) plunged into a 50-foot deep ravine.
Eleven other passengers were taken to the nearby hospital. They were identified as Joan Garcia, 4; Editha Garcia, 33; John Menard Taccaban, the 11-year old son of the driver; Emalyn Alvento, 27; Shieryn Alvento, 5; Trinidad Carabbaccan, 40; Warren Garcia, 30; John Lloyd Carabbacan, 7; John Mark Mamauag, 6; Bentorito Carabbacan, 50; and, Albert Garcia, 29.
Road accidents are common in the Philippines, with the police record saying an average of 1,300 deaths happen every year.
Common causes of road accidents, according to police record, are bad overtaking, overspeeding and mechanical trouble.