By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A teenager drowned and died over the weekend while gathering sand at an old pier in Barangay Cartagena, Sipalay City.

Authorities identified the fatality as 17-year-old Rowell Cumahig, a resident of Barangay Culipapa, Hinoba-an.

The victim’s friend, 21-year-old Ernel Cabatuan, survived.

Based on information provided by the city’s local disaster risk reduction management office, Cumahig and Cabatuan were gathering sand when they were swept away by a strong wave.

Cabatuan swam to safety, but Cumahig disappeared under the water and supposedly swept further away by the strong current.

The teenager’s remains were recovered a few hours later, 100 meters away from where he was last seen.

Rescuers attempted to revive the victim by rushing him to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival by hospital staff./DGB, WDJ