Two teens die as one tries to save other

A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD  boy   died on Sunday Feb. 26 while attempting to save a drowning 15-year- old girl.

The double tragedy took place at two in the  afternoon on the Santa Maria River in the province of Veraguas. when both youngsters were swimming in the river  when Gloribeth Marin called for help and. Hugo Atencio, swam to her aid

Víctor López, a bather who was in the area, reported that witnesses asked for help for the young people, but they were in a very dangerous area near the Santiago water intake.

Minutes later police officers and SINAPROC came to the scene, but the youngsters were already dead.

Colonel Eduardo Chen, a member of the Joint Task Force (FTC) and fire chief in Veraguas, said the bodies were rescued by Sinaproc divers.

He stressed that people were  unfortunately not following the recommendations of the authorities, when recommended areas for bathing.