Irish woman (26) dies during canyoneering trip in the Philippines

Meg Haugh (26), from Ballintemple in Cork, was part of a group engaged in the adventure activity in Badian in southwest Cebu when she became unwell around 11am on Thursday.

Ms Haugh and a female friend had been part of a group taking part in canyoneering which involves travelling through canyons, streams and waterfalls by jumping, sliding, swimming and rappelling.

The Sun Star newspaper in the Philippines reported that Ms Haugh was more than halfway through the three hour adventure and had completed two of three jumps when she fell ill.

The newspaper reported that a number of people present, including a doctor who was with another group doing the canyoneering, made attempts to provide medical assistance.

Reports said those present initially struggled to contact emergency services as they couldn’t get a communication signal where they were.

Ms Haugh was later taken to Badian District Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Ms Haugh had been travelling abroad but was due to return to Ireland when the tragic incident occurred.

Clydiejun Baratbate, an officer of the Badian Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO), said communication signals in the area was a problem and authorities were only alerted around midday as a result.

“When we received the call, we immediately dispatched our ambulance,” Baratbate told the Sun Star.

He said the canyoneering site was around 12km from the MDRRMO.

He said that due to the poor communication signal in the area officials had previously requested handheld radios as a way of calling first responders to tourist sites.

“The reception of the signal is not good here because you still have to go up a bit (to get a signal)... We have also requested an antenna because we’ve observed that in canyoneering, especially level two, is very low already, so we can’t get through to our repeater. So there must be a base radio at the entrance.”

Ms Haugh was from the Ballintemple area of Cork and local football club Avondale United, which her family were involved with, cancelled home matches this weekend as a mark of respect.

“It is with heavy hearts that we learn of the untimely passing of young Meg Haugh, daughter of Richard Haugh,” the club announced in a statement on Friday.

“As a mark of respect to Richard, our friend, child safe officer and committee member, with a long service to the club. the club academies will not run today Friday, May 3 and our weekend home matches are cancelled.

“Our thoughts are with Richard and family including uncle John Haugh, an underage coach, extended family and friends.

“May Meg rest in peace.”