The real story about a local tourist who died of stonefish poisoning in Palawan

A tourist from Taguig city named Miguel Gabriel Ruiz was enjoying his vacation in Coron Palawan with his friend, when he tragically died, stepping on a poisonous coral (in some reports, he stepped on a Stonefish) and was not given proper emergency care. In this case, local medical personnel who responded didn’t know what to do. The victim was coherent enough to explained what happened to him, but eventually died because of the neurotoxin from the corals have stopped him from breathing.

Here’s the full post from Facebook:

Until this day, I couldn’t believe a friend died by just stepping on a coral reef. There MUST be big medical facilities in tourist hot spots like Coron which is hailed as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. No big hospitals?! Wow. How can we promote tourism and compete with Thailand if we can’t guarantee the safety of tourists? It’s always safety and preparedness that must come first!

Negligence and lack of proper first aid knowledge were major reasons of this demise. Time is gold and too bad time was not enough for him to reach the hospital alive. Boatmen and people of Coron didn’t know how to do CPR and to revive patients who are in huge trouble. It was Travis, the boyfriend, who did the CPR procedures amid the vomit and all that. The boatmen didn’t inform and warn them of the poisonous corals or whatever deadly piranha or stone fish. The BF said, the boatmen only warned them of poisonous jelly fish that you’ll die within minutes after it stings/bites you. The boatmen even held it in their hand to show what hinayupak na dikya it was! Meaning, they had a clear gasp and knowledge of the place, the sea, and whatever were down there. They’re not fishermen, boatmen for nothing.

That’s just so ridiculous and freaking scary isn’t it? Would you travel to places like that?! Accidents like this DO happen. Hence, we MUST always, in all times, foresee and anticipate such things! Because unfortunately it did happen already.

Well, I’m not really surprised. Because even Boracay Island has no well-equipped hospitals. I remember running to an ER of a freaking hospital in Boracay and everything was substandard. Nurses and doctors were inattentive. I told myself, THIS IS NOT WHERE I’LL DIE! ( I’m a major hypochondriac )

What more Coron?! A very secluded and beleaguered island. The Palawan Tourism Board should be held accountable for not informing the tourists well about the poisonous coral reef, stone fish or whatever it is that is found in Coron. Shame on that hospital/clinic they arrived at. According to his boyfriend, doctors and nurses were unprepared and unrehearsed. I am also not shocked with this. Doctors and nurses see patients come and go everyday and they think just because they always see emergency cases everyday, so they’re used to it. For them, ayyyy ok lang yan, mabubuhay yan, don’t worry. The complacency of doctors and nurses…. Eh Kung kayo kaya yung nasa death bed? Time is everything! That’s why when Travis told us so, I wasn’t not shocked anymore because it happened to me lots of times as well in the E.R. I could just imagine what was happening that time during and after the incident.

He started vomiting and was in extreme discomfort, delirious.Travis said he didn’t get stung eh. Because Miggy’s finals words were:

” I stepped on the corals and I couldn’t breathe. ”

I think, it is indeed anaphylactic shock.
He died within 10 minutes after……… In his BF, Travis’ arms. Possibly, the sweetest way to die.

If his death could and would bring awareness to everyone who frequents and loves the beach, then his death meant for bigger things indeed. You know, sometimes kasi when we are having fun, we tend to take safety and prevention for granted. Don’t we?

I’m not shading or starting the blame game. But really, it is safety first. First aid kit man lang? Better facilities? At least complete medicine pangkontra sa poison? Because you’ll never know what might hit you. And when it does, it’s too late.

May the family of Miggy and Travis find comfort and solace knowing he is in heaven already. That is according to him cuz they got to talk to him last night through a famed experienced psychic. And 5 days before he died, he had an inkling and premonition already. I guess that’s why he tweeted:

” Heaven. ” hence, there’s no doubt that he really will go to heaven. But Miggy, you were gone too soon. 25 years of age was too young to go. I know God has His purpose even if we don’t always understand why things have to happen. It had to.

I’m so happy to have seen you again for the very last time. At least, I got to see you in your handsome tuxedo. Naks! I wanna die looking like you. Hindi man lang pumanget at na haggard at all! But whoever your make up artist is, make sure to haunt him/her. Hahahaha. Natawa din ako sa bangs. Naka full side bangs ka talaga ha. Straight na straight to the right. Unat na unat.

See you one day in heaven and no, not at all, not too very soon. Hindi pa. Hehe. Rest in peace Miggy. Love you.

For the safety of the public- children and tourists visiting Philippine beaches:

Certain venomous species are hard to spot since they are perfectly camouflaged, what looks like a rock above water may actually be a stone fish. A stone fish is one of the most venomous fishes in the world. And yes, we have them in the Philippines (along with other notorious venomous species of box jellyfishes and sea urchins).

What is a Stonefish?

The stonefish, or Synanceia, is a venomous fish that secretes neurotoxins at the base of its needle-like spine which sticks up when disturbed or threatened. It rarely attacks humans when unprovoked, poisonings occur when people unknowingly step on the fish.

Many describe the stonefish sting as the worst pain they’ve ever experienced. It’s so severe that some victims have demanded that their stung limbs be amputated. Aside from excruciating pain, a sting can cause a great dealing of swelling on and around the affected area. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, temporary paralysis, and shock, which ultimately lead to death if left untreated due to damage to the heart, respiratory system, and nervous system.

Emergency Treatment for Stonefish Injury
Extreme cases of stonefish injuries requires the application of a stonefish antivenom (common and available in Australia). But if there’s no anti-venom, treat a stonefish sting by applying heat to the injured area with the use of hot water. This destroys the stonefish venom while causing minimal discomfort to the victim. Vinegar can also be used to lessen the pain until medical help arrives.

Source: PopularManila