About 20 people were saved from drowning during the recent fiesta celebration in barangay Tinago by the members of the City’s Rescue 348 team.
City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council Officer Engr. Jose Chu said that the near-mass drowning incident occurred late in the afternoon when many of the feastgoers were wet and drunk after consuming alcohol since the morning in celebration of the traditional fluvial parade.
Chu narrated that dozens of people were using the large rope keeping anchor of a fish boat as their buoy while swimming in the deep portion of murky water as large waves hit the shores.
However, the crew of the fish boat abruptly started his engine to depart, releasing the rope from where it was tied, and causing young and old poeple to fall into the sea.
Alert members of the Rescue 348, who were luckily keeping a close eye on the beachgoers immediately came to save them using rubber boats, and pushing towards the shore the victims who were already bobbing and jerking.
Chu credited two members of the group, namely Anthony Samson and Antonio Erosido, as well as the entire crew for their swift action.
He also commended Councilor Joe Kenneth Arbas for his foresight of formally asking Rescue 348 for their assistance and monitoring several days before the event dubbed Bora sa Tinago. (PIO Dumaguete)
