Japanese woman dies after being hit by motorboat propeller

MANILA, Philippines - A female Japanese national was killed after she was hit with the propeller of a motorboat while the victim was scuba diving in the waters of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, police reported yesterday.

Reports reaching Camp Crame showed Etsuko Kosaka, 52, of Ishikawa, Japan, was brought to the Mactan Doctors Hospital for head injuries but died while undergoing treatment.

The Central Visayas Police Regional Office 7 said the incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. Thursday at the waters off Barangay Punta Enganio.

Investigators said Kosaka just came from an underwater diving activity with some other Japanese companions when she was hit on the head by the propeller of a passing motorboat.

The boat’s operator, Antonio Cordova Cahilig, 20, of Barangay Maribago, and Kosaka’s companions brought her to the hospital but failed to make it.

Cordova voluntarily submitted himself to responding policemen.    – Cecille Suerte Felipe