QUEZON, BUKIDNON — A 16-year-old Grade 11 student died after drowning in the Pulangi River in Purok Buayang, Barangay San Jose, Quezon, Bukidnon, on Friday afternoon, August 21, 2026, in a tragic incident that unfolded after a group of students went swimming following a dance practice.
Initial information from authorities said the victim was among a group of secondary students who went to the river after their dance practice. The students reportedly traveled to the area on motorcycles after seeking permission to attend what was described as a dance practice.
While the group was swimming, one of the students, a female classmate, reportedly encountered difficulty in the water and was at risk of drowning. The 16-year-old victim intervened and managed to help rescue her.
However, after successfully assisting his classmate, the victim returned to the river and was swept away by a strong current. His classmates immediately searched for him and sought help.
A local fisherman eventually recovered the victim’s body from the river. He was rushed to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag for emergency medical attention but was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors.
The Maramag Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said the area where the incident occurred has difficult terrain and limited road access. The site is reportedly about eight kilometers from the national highway, making access and emergency response more challenging.
The Quezon Municipal Police Station, which conducted the initial investigation, said there were no indications of foul play in the incident.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by strong river currents, particularly in areas where water conditions and depth can change rapidly. Authorities have urged the public, especially young people, to exercise extreme caution and avoid swimming in rivers and other bodies of water without proper supervision and safety measures.
The incident also underscores the risks faced by individuals who attempt to rescue others from drowning. While the victim was able to save his classmate, he himself was ultimately swept away by the river’s current.
Authorities continue to remind communities to avoid swimming in unfamiliar or hazardous waterways and to immediately seek assistance from trained rescuers when someone is in distress in the water.