ORMOC CITY– A Grade 12 senior high school student tragically lost his life while trying to save his classmate from drowning at Tarragona Beach Resort in Poblacion District III, MacArthur, Leyte, on January 19.
The victim, identified only as “Lilloy,” a 17-year-old male resident of Barangay Osmeña in MacArthur, was with his classmates enjoying a swim when the incident occurred.
According to police investigations, Lilloy noticed one of his friends struggling in the water and attempted to rescue them. However, he was caught by a strong current that dragged him to the bottom of the sea.
Responding personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), together with concerned citizens, launched a search and rescue operation.
At around 12:45 pm, the victim was found and administered first aid by BFP responders. He was immediately transported by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to the Abuyog District Hospital for medical treatment.
Despite rescue efforts, the attending physician declared the victim dead on arrival at 1:05 pm.
The victim’s body was taken to a local funeral parlor before being brought back to his family.
(ROBERT DEJON)
