Drunk man falls off coconut, dies

CEBU, Philippines - A coconut wine gatherer died after falling off a coconut tree yesterday morning in Poblacion, Talisay City.

Jose “Joe” Paltingca, of legal age, was allegedly drunk when he climbed the tree to gather coconut wine, locally known as “tuba.”

Lesley Duhaylungsod, 24, neighbor of the victim, alleged that the former climbed the coconut tree beside the house of Nitang Baguio without anyone asking him to do so.

After taking a bunch of coconut fruits, the victim climbed the tree again and neighbors allegedly just heard a loud thud and later found him lying on the ground together with another bunch of coconut fruits.

A neighbor who witnessed the incident said Paltingca slipped off from the rope he was using, fell to a GI sheet, which resulted to one of his ears being slashed off, and then hit his head on the pavement.

Paltingca was rushed to the Talisay City District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)