4 dead after van fell into 150-meter ravine in Tabuk City

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Four individuals from Apayao died after their Starex Van fell into about 150-meter-deep ravine in Sitio Gonogon, Bagumbayan, early morning of Black Saturday, April 16, 2022.

The casualties were identified by the police as Marcelo Banggawan Sagyaman, a pastor and the driver of the involved vehicle; Marivic Botilas Sagyaman; Marvin Botilas Sagyaman, 27; and Azrel Botilas Sagyaman, 12. All of them are residents of Sakpil, Conner, Apayao.

Based on the investigation, the incident happened around 4:00 in the morning. The vehicle was traversing the Kalinga – Mt. Province National Road when it fell off the cliff at the side of the road, landing at the Chico Riverbank.

One of the victims’ companions who rode a different vehicle said they came from a 3-day Annual Religious Convention Fellowship held in Tadian, Mt. Province and that they were already heading back to Conner Apayao this April 16.

However, when they were in Lucog, they stopped after noticing that the van was no longer following them behind. This prompted them to go back to look for their companions and upon reaching the place of the incident, they noticed a skid mark on the road.

Afterward, she recounted that a passerby arrived, asking for rescue and informing them about the van that fell into the ravine.

It is believed that the incident could be attributed to either a human error or a mechanical defect.

The rescue and retrieval operation lasted for at least 3 hours due to the depth of the cliff. When the authorities and volunteer civilians reached the riverbank, they found the lifeless bodies of the 4 victims.

The 4 were brought to TAMPCO Funeral Parlor after their bodies were retrieved.

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