SAN MARIANO, Isabela — Fourteen passengers, mostly students, were rescued after their motorized boat capsized on the Pinacanauan River in Barangay Cataguing here on Monday morning, Dec. 22.
Police said the victims were on their way home after attending dawn Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church here when their boat sank.
Most of the passengers were high school and college students. The motorized boat was operated by Rogelio Gonzales.
Initial investigation said the motorized boat struck a large rock and capsized.
All passengers were thrown into the river but managed to stay afloat as they knew how to swim.
Rescue teams and the San Mariano Police Station immediately responded and successfully rescued the students. They were taken to a hospital and declared safe.
The students described the incident as traumatic, especially after their personal belongings were swept away by the strong river current.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.