BUTUAN CITY -- Authorities here said local fishermen have reported the rescue of three Australians, one of whom later died of severe dehydration, in waters off the coast of Siargao Island Sunday morning, December 17.
A police official of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Caraga through Tandag City Police Station said one Australian died from the effects of severe dehydration later in the day after being fished off the waters by locals.
The three were said to have been adrift for six days and had clung on to a bouy when rescued by local fishermen.
“Three foreign national were rescued yesterday at around 10:00 in the morning of December 17, 2017 by fishermen on their way back to their home in Tandag City,” said Police Chief Inspector Armando A. Martizano, officer-in-charge Tandag City Police Station.
Martizano said the Australians were on their way to Subic from Australia when the yacht they were on capsized and sank somewhere in the waters off Siargao Island.
Martizano said the three were brought to a local hospital where they told authorities their names and nationality.
“They were immediately admitted to the Adela Serra Ty, Memorial Medical Center at around 4:00 in the afternoon here in Tandag City and were identified as Anthony John Mahoney, 73 years old, a resident of Townsville, North Queensland, Australia; Lawrence Alered Mallea, 68 years old, single, a resident of Trinity Beach, Queensland, Australia and Lionec Peter Ansselin, 74 years old, who is married to a Filipina from La Union. Unfortunately Mahony did not make it and succumbed to severe dehydration by 10:00 Sunday evening,” said Martizano.
The police official said the fishermen estimated that they rescued the foreigners about 50 miles from the coast of Tandag, somewhere near Siargao.
He said Tanday police in Tandag City already contacted the wife of Ansselin, who is a resident of 403 Mulleas Compound, Baccuit Sur Bauang, La Union.
The two, who survive the ordeal, are in stable condition. The victims' relatives and families had also been contacted in Australia, according to Police Chief Inspector Renel Serrano, officer-in-charge PRO-Caraga.