Elf truck crash kills infant, 5 others in Mountain Province

BAGUIO CITY — Six people, including an infant, died while 17 other passengers were injured after an Elf truck plunged into a ravine in Bontoc, Mountain Province, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 15.

The truck, carrying 27 passengers, was traveling from Isabela to Bakun town in Benguet via Paracelis town in Mountain Province when it skidded off the road and plunged 50 to 100 meters. The Bontoc Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received a report about the crash at 12:40 p.m.

Responders established by 5 p.m. that six passengers had died in the fall. One of the adult victims was identified as Theresa Walitan. Reports gave conflicting descriptions of the infant victim, who was either five months old or one year old.

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READ: Elf truck falls off road in Mountain Province with 27 passengers

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The identities of the other fatalities—three females and one male—had not been validated as of press time.

Seventeen injured passengers were brought to the Bontoc General Hospital (BGH). Two 11-year-old passengers were treated and discharged.

The remaining survivors were admitted to BGH: Justin Alwis, Grayson Mendoza, Lexie Walitan, Gabriel Alwis, Shardia Abangley, John Lloyd Alwis, Delvin Panganiban, Hazel Jane Pudico, Vilma Alwis, Glorifina Mendoza, Chumayna Walitan, Mark Steve Mendoza, Uhadenzel Panganiban and Rohen Pudico.

The 15th survivor, Sapiras Walitan, was transferred to the Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

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Officials from Bakun and relatives of the victims have been coordinating with the Bontoc EOC about traveling to Bontoc to assist the survivors and claim the remains.