Outing turns tragic as boy dies after being swept away by current in Indang, Cavite waterfalls
INDANG, Cavite – A fun outing took a tragic turn as a nine-year-old boy died after he was swept away by a strong water current in St. Anthony Falls in Barangay Tambo Malaki on Sunday, May 1.
Staff Sgt. Jimver Zorenne Dimapilis of Indang Municipal Police Station told the Manila Bulletin that the sandbag barrier at the waterfalls collapsed, causing a harsh water flow.
A video uploaded by Ejay Peñarubia Catibayan on Facebook shows visitors panicking amid the rushing current.
Gabriel Mortera, who was with his mother and older brother, was swept away by the water.
"Yakap naman po ng tita ko yung bata, inaagos na sila, nawalan po ng malay yung tita ko (My aunt was hugging the kid, they were swept away, my aunt lost consciousness," Mortera's cousin, Daniel Zapanta, told the Manila Bulletin.
"Ang akala ng tita ko patay na rin sya. Ang sumunod nyang naalala, nailigtas na sya, pero hindi na niya po alam kung nasaan si Gabby (My aunt thought she had died. The next thing she knew, she was being rescued, but she did not know where Gabby was)."
Authorities found Mortera after an hour of search and rescue operation but he was declared dead on arrival at M. V. Santiago Medical Center.
The police are investigating the cause of the sandbag barrier collapse in the public resort.