ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least 17 people, including two children, were injured when their vehicle fell into a ravine along the highway of Zamboanga del Sur, a police official said Thursday.
Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) information officer, Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, said the road accident happened in Purok 3, Barangay Tigbao, Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur at about 8:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Galvez identified the victims as Charmange Merontos, 28; Maria Rollylus Jawel, 52; Arnulfo Jawel, 48; Semin Amboangan Jr., 31; Maria Nura Labiaga, 67; Ivy Paclibar, 25; Leken Bari, 29; Teresita Caudia, 57; Merryjoy Maguinda, 15; Glaidylle Solis, 21; Mayjie Ardiente, 35; Vicky Lagchana, 48; Julito Campus, 37; Melanie Campus, 24; and Heidilou Sumamban, 22.
Two children were also hurt --a two-year-old and a six-year-old.
Police investigation showed the victims were on board the van driven by Orlando Ocampo, 42, who lost control of the steering wheel and fell into a five-meter-deep ravine after avoiding a collision with an oncoming motorcycle that encroached their lane.
The van was traveling to Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur at the time of the accident.
Police said Ocampo was unscathed while the van was wrecked due to the impact of the fall. (PNA)
