By Ma. Irish Joy M. Sabio

A British national drowned at a beach located at Sitio Cabcab, Barangay Mayabon, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, Friday morning.

Police identified the fatality as 37-year-old Stephen Ward.

Senior Police Officer 2 (SPO2) Richard Dumat-ol of the Zamboanguita municipal police said, upon arrival of rescue units, the victim was already along the shoreline while a companion tried to revive him.

According to the companion, who has not been named by police, Ward reportedly swam to a deep part of the beach where he drowned.

The victim was immediately rushed to Holy Child Hospital in Dumaguete City for treatment, but was declared dead on arrival by hospital staff.

Dumat-ol added, the victim’s remains will undergo autopsy./MIS, WDJ