CEBU CITY – A 67-year-old American national drowned while diving off Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town, northern Cebu on Friday, April 21.
Police identified the fatality as Mark Alan Shea, who was temporarily living in Barangay Logon, Malapascua.
Police said the victim was recorded at Davocean Dive Resort for scuba diving and thresher shark-watching at Kimod Shoal.
Shea was with fellow Americans and dive master Limuel Tuico Maloloy-on, 32, who served as the group’s guide.
Around 7:20 a.m. when the group dived in an area said to be 12-meter deep.
Six minutes after they dove, the guide noticed that the American appeared unconscious while submerging deeper into the sea.
The American was immediately rescued and was brought to the shore.
First aid was administered on the unconscious American before he was brought to the Maya Port where an ambulance waited for the patient.
The victim was then taken to the Daanbantayan District Hospital where he was declared dead.
Initial police investigation showed that there were no indications of foul play in the death.
Police said they suspect that the American suffered a heart attack while diving.