A 42-year-old man and his 9-year-old nephew drowned while fishing at the Nabinay River in Barangay Mabini, Cadiz City in Negros Occidental on Tuesday morning, Feb. 17.
Police identified the victims as Jesus Sadia Jr., a laborer, and a 9-year-old boy, of Hacienda Sampil, Brgy. Mabini.
Authorities said the incident happened at around 10:40 a.m. but was reported to police at about 2:40 p.m. through a call from Cadiz City CREATE Rescue personnel.
Initial investigation showed that the victims were fishing at the river with another minor when the child accidentally drowned.
Police said Sadia immediately jumped into the river to rescue the child but was also swept away by the strong current.
Both victims were reportedly carried downstream and submerged.
Personnel from the Cadiz City Police Station, Philippine Coast Guard, and Cadiz City CREATE Rescue conducted search and retrieval operations.
The victims were later found and taken to the Cadiz City District Hospital where they were pronounced dead.
The attending physician declared drowning as their cause of death.*
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