A 44-year-old man drowned after he got electrocuted accidentally while fishing in an open pond in Barangay Mancup, Calasiao, Pangasinan.

The victim was identified as Gary Garcia Macaraeg, a resident of Barangay Ventenilla, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.

Macaraeg was fishing with three minors using an improvised electric fishing device when the incident happened.

According to police, the group suddenly heard Macaraeg scream before they saw him sink into the water and never resurface.

Investigators believe he shocked himself accidentally, which led to paralysis and drowning.

“Parang ganun ang lumalabas sa imbestigasyon, parang napitikan siya. Tapos, nung na-paralyze na siguro yung katawan niya, kaya nalunod. Na-suffocate na rin siguro,” PCPT. Anthony Doctolero, Deputy Chief of Calasiao Police Station, said.

Macaraeg’s family declined to give a statement.

Authorities reminded the public that using electric tools for fishing is illegal and extremely dangerous.

“For the [public's] information po, bawal po ang paghuhuli ng isda gamit po itong mga improvised na electric tools po natin,” Doctolero said.