4 die, in La Union drowning incidents

By Freddie Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Four persons died, while two others were rescued, in separate drowning incidents on New Year’s Day in La Union on Tuesday.

              The first victims was identified by La Union police spokesperson Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado as Ly-Ann Madriaga, a resident of Sto. Tomas, La Union.

A police report said Madriaga was joined by John Ervin Carbonell and Jayson Cabutotan, both residents of Rosario, La Union, on a swim at around 3 p.m. in Barangay Samara, Aringay, La Union but were overwhelmed by strong underwater current.

Rescuers were able to save Carbonell and Cabutotan, while Madriaga died on arrival at the hospital.

Meanwhile, three relatives identified as Raul Rollan, 36; Justine Rollan, 14, and Danilo Rapsing; all residents of Baguio City, were declared dead upon reaching the hospital after they reportedly drowned off the beach of Barangay Pilar, Bauang, La Union at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

A police report said that they, too, were overwhelmed by strong underwater current that led to their drowning.

With these two drowning incidents, Ordinado has issued an advise to beachgoers to take extra precaution while swimming at the beaches of La Union due to the sudden emergence of big waves that could stir strong underwater currents.