The body of a 77-year-old senior citizen who was swept away by the current in Brgy. Isic-Isic, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, was found on the afternoon of October 9, according to P/Cpt. Jofel Pascual, the town’s chief of police.
The victim, identified as Nelson Laureta, a resident of Brgy. Isic-Isic, went missing after being carried away by the river current on October 8.
Authorities conducting the search and retrieval operation discovered Laureta’s body floating near a bridge around 5 PM.
Investigations revealed that the victim was attempting to cross the river with his carabao when he seemingly slipped, resulting in his drowning and being swept away by the river.
His body was found approximately 3 kilometers from where he was initially carried away, near Sitio Bato.
P/Cpt. Pascual added that the search was suspended at midnight on October 8 due to heavy rain and the river’s fast current.
Doctors confirmed that no foul play was involved in the incident, according to the police.
The search and retrieval operation took 24 hours to recover the victim’s body.
The police continue to remind residents to avoid crossing rivers, especially during heavy rain, to prevent similar incidents.