Swimming party turns tragic

When drunk, don’t swim. More so, if you don’t know how.

Five youths looking forward to a fun-filled weekend met tragedy instead after one of them drowned in a pool in an overnight swimming party last Sunday in Caloocan City.

College student Joenard Lenizo, 19, of Orioles street, Veterans Village, Quezon City drowned in a pool at the Gubat sa Ciudad, a resort located in Barangay Bagumbong, Caloocan City.

Although he was rushed to the nearby San Lorenzo Hospital, Lenizo did not regain consciousness and was declared dead on arrival.

Autopsy reports showed the victim died of asphyxia by drowning. Lenizo’s stomach was also positive for alcohol, said Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) medico-legal officer Senior Inspector Filemon Porciuncula.

Initial investigation showed the incident happened at around 11:30 p.m. at the resort. Probers said Lenizo, who doesn’t know how to swim but was emboldened by alcohol, reportedly boasted to his pals that he knew how.

The victim’s companions apparently believed him and left him alone. They found out the truth when the victim failed to come out of the water after some time. – Jerry Botial