BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
AKLAN – An Australian tourist tragically lost his life shortly after disembarking from a cruise ship on Boracay Island in Malay town.
According to the Malay Municipal Police Station (MPS), they received a report around 10:30 a.m. yesterday, November 6, that the 71-year-old James Frank Thomas, a passenger of the Holland America Line’s Nordam MC Cruise Ship, reportedly drowned near Cagban Jetty Port in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Malay.
In an interview with Panay News, Lieutenant Joerelyn Requintin, chief of operations for the Malay MPS, said that Thomas and other passengers had gone swimming after arriving at the port.
“After disembarking from the cruise ship with other passengers, they swam near the Cagban Jetty Port, about 10 meters from the shore,” Requintin explained.
Requintin added that investigation shows Thomas appeared to be struggling in the water and called for assistance.
Responders from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation before he was brought to Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital in Barangay Balabag where he was declared dead on arrival at approximately 11:50 a.m.
The cause of death was identified as respiratory failure secondary to drowning, said Requintin./PN
