By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

One person is confirmed dead while three others survived after they were struck by lightning at the coastline of Barangay Balaring in Silay City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, August 14 .

Authorities identified the fatality as Ron Sabadisto, while the injured were identified as Stephen Sabadisto, Rodney Sabadisto and Charlotte Hiponea.

In a radio interview with Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod, Stela Sabadisto, Stephen’ daughter, said the four were fishing when they decided to take shelter in the shoreline of Purok Roma in Barangay Balaring due to a thunderstorm.

As they were having their breakfast at the boat, they were suddenly struck by lightning knocking Ron overboard while Rodney lost consciousness.

The two other occupants were unharmed.

Both Ron and Rodney were rushed to the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital for treatment, but Ron was declared dead-on-arrival. Rodney, meanwhile, was successfully revived by hospital staff.

In response to the incident, Silay City Mayor Mark Golez said they will provide financial assistance to the three survivors, while they will also give burial assistance to Ron’s family./DGB, WDJ