STUDENT DROWNS WHILE SWIMMING WITH FRIENDS IN BULACAN

BY KEVIN GALANG

A 22-YEAR-OLD student drowned while swimming with friends at a river in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

A report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose B. Mendez identified the victim as Mark Andrei Barrenechea of Bgy. Muzon South, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

According to the Bulaan police, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on February 25 at Camp Kaka in Bgy. San Mateo, Norzagaray, but was reported to the Norzagaray Municipal Police Station at about 4:40 p.m. the following day.

An investigation showed that the victim was swimming with friends at Camp Kaka when eight members of their group decided to proceed to the nearby Baraka Banahaw Cave located across the river.

Barrenechea, along with witness Cara Joyce Calamba and two other companions, stayed behind at their cottage to rest.

However, the victim reportedly decided to follow his friends and attempted to swim across the river without wearing a life vest.

According to the witness, Barrenechea began struggling while in the middle of the river before eventually submerging. 

His friends immediately called for help.

One of the victim’s companions identified as Eric Villanueva managed to retrieve him from the water minutes later.

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was immediately administered but the victim failed to regain consciousness.

Personnel from the Norzagaray Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) arrived at the scene and continued resuscitation efforts while transporting the victim to the Norzagaray Municipal Hospital. 

The victim was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Police said the victim’s siblings voluntarily executed a waiver declining an autopsy examination, stating that they believe no foul play was involved in the incident.

Authorities reminded the public to observe safety precautions when swimming in rivers and to use protective equipment such as life vests, especially in deep or fast-flowing waters.