Grade 2 girl, elderly farmer drown in Negros Occidental

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Two individuals, including an 8-year-old girl and a 76-year-old farmer, drowned in separate incidents in Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

In Bago City, a Grade 2 pupil died after jumping into an irrigation canal in Purok Kaaghu-an, Barangay Ma-ao to take a bath.

Police said the girl accompanied her older brother, who was nearby washing clothes.

Despite his warnings, she reportedly entered the water and was swept away by a strong current.

Her brother attempted to rescue her, but she was later declared dead at a hospital.

Meanwhile, in Hinigaran town, a farmer drowned while swimming in a river near his farm.

Police said the victim had told a friend the day before that he would stay at the farm to continue making charcoal and planned to swim in the river.

When he failed to return home, his family searched for him and found his body floating in the river the next afternoon.

Authorities said no signs of physical injury were found.