French national hit by speedboat, dies

A French national died after he was hit by a speedboat while swimming in Barangay Kawit, Medellin yesterday morning.

Yvon Cousy, 66, who was residing in Poblacion, Medellin, was happily waving at the passengers of a passing pump boat while swimming.

Senior Insp. Maria Theresa Gutierrez, Medellin chief of police, said that Cousy was busy waving at passengers of passing pump boats and did not notice the approaching red speed boat.

Cousy was hit but the speedboat did not stop to help him. It was later known the speed boat docked in Malapascua Island.

Gutierrez said an operator of a pump boat who was following the red speed boat heard the crashing sound and rescued Cousy.

Cousy was severely injured in his back and sustained a big cut in the left portion of the body which caused to his instantaneous death.

He was rushed to the nearest hospital by one of the witnesses but was declared dead on arrival by attending physician.

The pump boat operator who witnessed the incident was carrying passengers going to Malapascua. There, he saw the speed boat and the operator responsible for the death of Cousy.

He immediately reported their presence to the operatives.

Daanbantayan police rushed to Malapascua and arrested Pablo Ribunal, 44, and Jesus Rabina, 42, residents of Punta, San Remigio Cebu.

The suspects were turned over to Medellin police for custody and proper filing of complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Cousy’s live in partner, Maxilinda Garrido, told the police that Cousy swims in the area every morning.