TACLOBAN CITY– Three students of Saint Joseph College (SJC) in Maasin City were hit by lightning on Monday (Sept.26), with one eventually succumbing due to the severe wounds he sustained.
Based on a statement released by SJC, the three victims were part of a group of Criminology students who were participating in an activity held at the sunken garden at the provincial capitol grounds when the accident happened at about 6 pm.
While the school did not name the students, they were identified in a police report as Jhundel Suganob, 19, second year; Alexis Baron De Vera,20, third year; and Cezar Ray Batas,21, second year.
The three sustained injuries due to the lightning strike but it was Suganob who suffered major burns on his body, the report said.
He was brought to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in this city while the two remained confined at the Salvacion Oppus Yñiguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SLYMPH) in Maasin City.
The statement of the SJC-Criminology department said that prior to the freak accident, the weather was moderately warm but in the afternoon, it became cloudy with mild drizzle.
“Everything was well until a sudden burst of strong winds and downpour buffeted the area associated with lightning flashes brought about by a thunderstorm overhead,” it said.
“Three of our criminology students were hit by a ground current brought about by a lightning strike on a tree,” the statement added.
The victims took shelter under the tree that was hit by the lightning.
They were first brought to SOYMPH but one was transferred to EVMC as he was unresponsive.
The school said that it assisted the victims, particularly Suganob, who died while being treated at the EVMC.
Maasin City Mayor Naccional Mercado offered his condolence and sympathy to the family of Suganob. (JOEY A. GABIETA/ROBERT DEJON)
