By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Two people, including a nine-year-old boy, drowned in separate incidents in Negros Occidental on Jan. 19 and 20.
In Himamaylan City, the young boy drowned in a river in Barangay Tooy on Sunday while attempting to retrieve a ball that fell into the water.
Police said the boy slipped into a deep part of the river. His body was recovered an hour later by rescue teams.
In Binalbagan town, a 36-year-old laborer from Hinigaran drowned in Barangay San Juan on Monday while attending a gathering with friends.
The man reportedly swam across the river, but his friends noticed he was missing after some time and called for help. Authorities later recovered his body.
Police ruled out foul play in both incidents.
Electrocution
A 21-year-old resident of Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, died after being electrocuted in Barangay Alacaygan, E.B. Magalona town, on Monday.
Police said the victim accidentally touched an exposed live wire on a post beside the road. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.