Man dies after falling into flooded open manhole in Pampanga
A 25-year-old man died after falling into an open manhole that was obscured by deep floodwaters in Angeles, Pampanga.
According to a Philippine STAR report, the victim, identified as Reiner Novero, was walking along a flooded sidewalk when he suddenly disappeared on Aug. 28 at around 2 p.m.
Witnesses also told 24 Oras that the floodwater current was strong at the time.
“Bigla po siyang nahulog. Malaki po ‘yung ano ng alon, sir, malakas po,” a witness said.
Another witness added that the victim failed to see the open manhole because of the flood. “Nung time na ‘yon, sir, ‘di rin namin alam na diyan siya dumaan. Delikado kasi diyan. Sabagay, ‘di niya rin po alam na gano’n ‘yung mangyayari,” he said.
The witnesses tried to rescue Novero, but failed to reach him in time.
The victim’s body was recovered an hour later under a bridge near Mansfield Residences in Sto. Domingo. Angeles City Police received reports concerning the incident over an hour after it happened, at 3:35 p.m.
The police added that they coordinated with the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in recovering Novero's body, which was later transferred to Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center.
No further details have been released as of this writing, but police urged the public to practice caution when wading floodwaters, including not crossing deep or fast-moving floodwaters and avoiding canals, creeks, bridges, and areas with dark or murky floodwaters, where hidden hazards and strong currents may be present.
Per the outlet, his remains were brought to Makati City for burial.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that as of Sept. 1, 11 a.m., the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng have caused 24 deaths, 19 injuries, and left three people missing.
