Trekker rescued in Negros Occ

SILAY CITY, Philippines — Authorities on Friday rescued an 18-year-old trekker in the camping village of Patag a day after he went missing, saving him just in time before he fell into hypothermia, ABS-CBN News reported yesterday.

Daryl Delocario was brought to safety nearly 24 hours since he went missing during a trek with a group of friends on Thursday, said Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Talisay City provincial disaster risk reduction and management division (PDRRMD).

Rescuers said Delocario was found 4:30 p.m. Friday after a 12-hour search, just as he experienced the onset of hypothermia. He is now confined for treatment at a private hospital in Bacolod City.

Delocario said he slipped and fell during the trek, just as his group made their way back from the site called Tinagong Dagat, known for its scenic jungle terrain and water falls. He fell unconscious and did not know where he was when he woke up.

His companions only noticed later that he had gone missing. They informed local authorities, prompting a rescue operation, which was launched Thursday afternoon but called it off at 10 p.m. for safety reasons, and then resumed at 4 a.m. Friday. Delocario was found more than 12 hours later.