What was meant to be a fun day turned tragic for a group of friends in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur after one of them died after diving from the 25-foot Kagutungan Falls. 

The fatality was a 43-year-old construction worker from Barangay Villa Laurencia. He reportedly climbed a balete tree to dive into the water at the bottom of the falls. 

Police said the man was pulled out of the water with his nose bleeding, suggesting that his head may have hit something in the water when he landed. 

“Lumitaw naman daw pero saglit lang tapos lumubog ulit. Tapos nung na-recover siya ayun dumurogo na yung ilong, it’s either tumama yung ulo niya sa matigas na bagay doon sa ilalim ng tubig,” PCOL. Darnell Dulnuan, Acting Provincial Director of the Ilocos Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO), said.

Despite efforts of his companions to rescue him and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), they were unsuccessful.

Dulnuan urged caution to those planning to swim at falls, especially when alcohol is involved.

“Ayun nga, [kung] medyo adventurous tayo, mas lalo na pag medyo nakainom [ay] iyon ang dapat iiwasan natin,” he said.

The victim's remains have been returned to his family.