A 21-year-old construction worker drowned after attempting to retrieve a coworker’s slipper that had drifted into the river in Barangay Lintic, Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur.
According to the Banayoyo Municipal Police Station (MPS), the victim was a resident of the said barangay.
The incident occurred while the victim and several coworkers were standing on Binnuyog Bridge.
Witnesses said a 17-year-old coworker grabbed another worker’s slipper and threw it into the river.
The victim entered the water to retrieve the floating slipper but was swept away by the strong current and failed to surface.
Coworkers tried to rescue him but were unable to locate him at the site.
Banayoyo MPS, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and CDRRMO Candon City, conducted a retrieval operation.
Several hours later, the victim’s body was found in the river near Barangay Langlangca 1st, Candon City.
He was rushed to Candon General Hospital in Barangay Tablac but was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors.