A SWIMMING party to welcome the New Year ended in tragedy in a town in Negros Oriental when two members of a family including a minor died due to drowning.

Declared dead upon arrival were Rona Fabro, 21, and John Mark Fabro, 16, of Sitio Pinangimnan Barangay Obat, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

Two others, Camille and Rena Fabro, both 18, were revived by rescuers and were immediately transferred to Dumaguete City for further medical attention.

Police investigation showed that the Fabro family was having a swimming party in Sitio Guba, Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Catalina, when four of them drowned.

Rescuers rushed the victims to the Bayawan City District Hospital, however, Rona and John Mark did not make it alive.