Man drowns during swimming race in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY — A 21-year-old man, who had challenged his companions to a race across a river, drowned on Tuesday (July 10) at Sual town in Pangasinan province, police said on Wednesday (July 11).

Rescuers found Bernie Gacuyan floating in Alaminos River at 9:40 p.m., almost five hours after he plunged into the river and never surfaced, according to PO2 Cezar Humilde, Sual police investigator.

Gacuyan was with four others with whom he had been drinking along the river bank in Barangay Calumbuyan. At 5 p.m., Humilde said Gacuyan goaded his companions to a race and was swept by the river current.

Gacuyan was taken to a hospital and was declared dead on arrival. Gabriel Cardinoza/lb