By I. Inojales | 05:52 PM October 06, 2025
TRINIDAD, BOHOL — Two students died instantly after lightning struck a coconut tree near where they were standing in Sitio Maonglinis, Barangay Kauswagan in Trinidad town on Sunday night, October 5.
The fatalities were identified as Mark Zorend Butal and Jobert Lumicday, who were both declared dead on arrival at the San Miguel Hospital.
Three other youths who were with them during the incident also lost consciousness but survived with minor injuries. They were reportedly having a small gathering inside a hut when the tragedy occurred.
One of the survivors, Lemuel Estorgio, sustained serious injuries but managed to regain consciousness and seek help from a nearby house located about 100 meters away. He was first brought to the San Miguel Hospital and later transferred to Don Emilio Hospital for further medical attention.
The other two survivors, Nelo Racines and Ramces Roscual, also regained consciousness and searched for their two companions who remained unresponsive at the time. They suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in Talibon for treatment.
Residents and local officials, led by sitio leaders, immediately responded to the distress call despite heavy rain and darkness. A private vehicle owned by the family of Barangay Captain Ricardo Nogalada was used to transport the critically injured victims to San Miguel Hospital, where they were met by the town’s ambulance.
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) coordinated swiftly with the Trinidad Emergency Assistance Team (TREAT) to deploy a Patient Transport Vehicle and sought support from TaRSIER 117 and the MDRRMO-San Miguel. Members of the Barangay Emergency Response Team and local volunteers assisted in bringing the victims to the hospital.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had earlier issued a thunderstorm advisory for Bohol on Sunday evening, warning of possible heavy rains, lightning, and strong winds.
