Devotee dies of heart attack after climbing ‘Andas’

A man died of heart attack during the annual Traslacion of the Black Nazarene early Wednesday morning.

In a Manila Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit report, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Senior Jail Officer 4 (SJO4) Ramil dela Cruz, 51, left the procession at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday and proceeded to a friend’s house on Hidalgo Street.

Upon arriving at the area, the report said Dela Cruz complained of chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and dizziness. Witness Ruby Puzon immediately sought the help of a medic and later brought the devotee to a nearby first aid station for immediate medical attention.

At around 1 a.m., the victim suffered seizure and was brought to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Radyo Inquirer initially reported that Dela Cruz joined the Traslacion and was able to go up the “Andas”, or the carriage carrying the image of the Black Nazarene.

The radio report also said that medical responders from the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) immediately gave first aid treatment to Dela Cruz, who also complained of stomach pain due to hyperacidity.                                    /kga