A one-year-old girl died while her four-year-old brother was injured when a boulder hit them in Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

The boulder reportedly rolled and hit the children just shortly after their father moved them to the side of the river as rain began to fall. 

The family was at the river for a dip and to do their laundry. 

The victims' aunt, Wresly Marie Castillon, said the children's father attempted to hold the boulder back but gave in due to the weight of the rock. 

Responders had to use a backhoe to lift the rock.

“Gipadaplin sa akong kuya ang tulo ka bata kay nagsugod naman og taligsik pud. Unya mao to, taod-taod nishagit ang bata nga magulang sa iyang papa nga mangahulog na ang gagmayng bata. Akong kuya, nagdali-dali pud daw sya og dagan. Napugngan pa daw niya ang bato pero sa kabug-at lage sa kadako, wala gyud niya nakaya, nabuy-an gyud niya ang bato,” the victims’ aunt, Wresly Marie Castillon, said.

The one-year-old girl did not reach the hospital alive while her brother will have to undergo surgery.

The family is seeking for help and prayers. 

“Nangayo mi og tabang sa inyoha, kanang financially gyud para sa duha ka bata para mahiluna napud si Joyce ug karon si Angelo, kinahanglan namo inyong prayers pud,” Castillon said.

Barangay officials assured assistance to the family.

“Financial, si kapitan makahatag siya ug kini atong mga Kagawad sa barangay mismo. Kung naa pay mga gikinahanglan, ato ng paduolon atoang nga hingtungdan sa barangay aron mahatagaan kung unsa pa ang mga gikinahanglan nga assistance,” Barangay councilman Jun Enriquez said.