CEBU – A helicopter crewman assigned to the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing based in the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase drowned during water survival training yesterday in Sibonga town. The FREEMAN is withholding the name and address of the victim because as of last night the authorities had yet to inform the parents of the fatality.
Initial investigation revealed that that the incident happened around 1 p.m. during the team’s flight mission in Sibonga where they performed water survival techniques involving water egress where they were supposed to jump from the chopper and swim to shore.
The fatality did not make it to shore and was rescued by his companions. He was brought to the local hospital in Sibonga town right after the incident but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending doctors. His body is now at Rolling Hills Funeral Homes in Mandaue City, awaiting autopsy and medico-legal processing. Lt. Col. Bruce Concepcion, spokesman of 2nd Air Division, said that Sibonga is the designated site for helicopter training.
He added a deeper investigation is being conducted into the incident. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)