The team leader of the search and rescue group in Siaton, Negros Oriental, died yesterday while trying to save an elderly man from being swept away by rising flood waters of the Siaton River.

Gladit Kitane, 48, married, of Poblacion Brgy 3, Siaton  drowned when he tried to cross the river in Brgy. Datag to reach Abundio Quibo who was stranded on an “islet” in the middle of the river.

Initial reports say that Kitane and other rescuers responded to a distress call around 10 a.m. yesterday when Quibo could not cross the river.

Kitane strapped himself up with a makeshift rope harness and jumped into the river, witnesses said. However, before he could reach Quibo, Kitane was carried downstream by rushing flood waters, Julard Quio said.

Quio and Marlon Gaitera, a relative of Quibo, said they recovered Kitane’s body about 400 to 500 meters downstream around 1 p.m.

Rescuers from Bayawan City, and members of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army assisted in the rescue and recovery operation that was, however, slowed down by strong currents. 

Datag barangay captain Larry Quio said Quibo was later rescued unharmed and flood waters did not even rise up to the “islet” where he stood.*JFP

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