One dead, 3 survive after tricycle fell into irrigation canal in Echague, Isabela

Echague, Isabela - A female student died after the tricycle she was riding with three others fell into an irrigation canal in Echague, Isabela, last Friday, August 22. 

The casualty, hidden under the name “Jona,” was with two other 17-year-olds (also passengers) and a 16-year-old (the driver) when the tragic accident occurred. 

Police said, through a local media outlet, their investigation found the victims were on their way home when their tricycle suddenly lost control and plunged straight into the canal amid the heavy rains in the area that day.

The driver and two other passengers managed to survive as they swam across the water where the tricycle landed, but Jona didn’t make it.

Notified of the incident, the Echague Rescue Team quickly responded and launched a search and rescue operation to find Jona. 

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO-Echague) later joined the operation, along with other rescuers. 

After more than twelve hours, Jona’s lifeless body was retrieved around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23.  

The authorities said the retrieval took long because of the overflowing water and strong current of the irrigation. 

Authorities are still conducting further investigation to determine the cause of the incident.