Boy dies in boat accident

A 16-year-old boat crew was killed when he got entangled with the propeller of a motorized boat which was about to dock in barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City.

Police identified the fatality as Nelson Laucheuibre, a boat crew of M/V Cherry 88.

The victim, a resident of barangay Caw-oy in Olango Island, suffered severe wounds all over the body.

Police said M/V Cherry 88 was about to dock at Hilton port when the accident happened around 7 a.m. yesterday. The boat was supposed to pick up guests at the port for an island hopping.

During the docking process, the victim tried to throw the anchor into the water but the rope attached to the anchor got entangled with his leg. The boy lost his balance and fell to the water where his body was caught up in the boat’s propeller.

Police later arrested the boat captain Jeremias Dilao, 30.

Dilao said he immediately switched off the boat’s engine after they noticed that the boy got entangled with the propeller.

Dilao said they fished the blooded boy out of the water but he was already dead.

PO2 Mark Anthony Zamora said investigators are still waiting for the victim’s parents for the possible filing of charges against Dilao.

According to Dilao, the boat owner agreed to shoulder the victim’s burial expenses and was also willing to extend financial assistance to the victim’s family.