The Division of Parks and Recreation is allowed to impose a fee on tourists by Public Law 14-27, which was signed by then-Gov. Juan N. Babauta in 2004.
A TOURIST died of natural causes after swimming at the Grotto, a popular spot in Marpi, on Monday, Jan. 6, according to the Department of Public Safety.
Assistant Chief of Police Simon Manacop said a drowning incident was initially reported to DPS at 3:23 p.m.
“Responding officers who arrived at the scene discovered tour guides who were administering [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] to a male person. The person was later transported to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation by the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, where he was pronounced dead at 4:31 p.m.,” Manacop said.
“The victim was a tourist and resident of Hong Kong,” he added.
“Officers learned that the victim, along with family members, arrived at the Grotto around 2 p.m., escorted by tour guides. They had gone down to the swimming hole about an hour later. After jumping into the water for about five minutes, the victim indicated to the tour guides that he was not feeling well. He was assisted out of the water and onto the rocks where he sat down and later lost consciousness. The two tour guides began CPR till the arrival of emergency personnel,” Manacop said.
The cause of death has been ruled natural, he added.
No other information about the victim or the incident was available as of press time Thursday evening.
