ONE of two drowning victims over the weekend has been identified as a University of Guam student.

On Saturday, a report came in at 10:46 a.m. regarding a distressed swimmer at Anao Point in Yigo.

The victim, who was identified as Alexander Miralles, 19, was hiking to Anao Point with 57 other individuals in a University of Guam group.

The emergency call reported him as a distressed swimmer. However, moments later, GFD was informed that the group lost sight of the victim.

According to Artero, GFD Units 1 & 2, U.S. Coast Guard, and Helo Unit responded to Anao Point and spent one hour searching for the victim. GFD rescue divers recovered Miralles' body off Anao Point at 1:07 p.m., and transported him to Hagåtña Boat Basin then to Guam Memorial Hospital.

Hike

A witness and participant of the hike explained that the hike was comprised of two History of Guam classes at UOG. The individual, who requested not to be identified, was a classmate of Miralles. She explained that the hike is part of the Saturday class; however, students are not required to go, as she said the hikes are not mandatory.

During the hikes, the instructor explains the history of the location. She recalled that for this particular hike, the instructor warned the class not to go out on the reef flat.

“My professor told us not to go on the table flat, or ocean table,” she said. “Three students didn't listen, they were all at different areas of the reef flat and Alex was on the far right side. We were on the coral rocks.”

She recalled the group standing on the coral rocks, looking around the site and taking pictures. Two of three students came back and then it was discovered that Miralles, who was sitting on the edge of the reef flat, was swept out by a wave.

“At the time when he got swept out, I was on the side watching the other two come in,” she said. “We saw him in the water treading. One big wave came and swept him out.”

Miralles' group tried their best to save him.

“We threw coconuts his way, but as he was treading, waves kept going over him. ... He was bobbing in and out,” his classmate stated. “One of the boys had a machete, so he and some from the group ran into the jungle to get a branch ... but by the time they came back, he was already down under.”

Miralles' classmate confirmed that the call had been made around 10 a.m., adding it was difficult for some to make the 911 call because of poor reception. After the successful call, rescue personnel showed up about an hour later. The search went on for an hour and Miralles' body was recovered at the same spot he was last seen.

Another victim

Another drowning incident which also occurred Saturday morning involved a 45-year-old male tourist who was found floating by bystanders in the waters behind Santa Fe Hotel in Tamuning.

Guam Fire Department personnel responded to the scene promptly after receiving the 911 call at 7:33 a.m., according to GFD spokesperson Lt. Ed Artero.

CPR was performed at the scene and the victim was transported to GMH where he was pronounced dead at 7:56 a.m., GMH Nursing Supervisor Bill Toves confirmed yesterday.

The male tourist and Miralles' death mark Guam's 4th and 5th water related accidents, respectively, this year.