SANTO TOMAS, Davao del Norte (Aug. 4, 2025) — A man identified as the husband of New Bataan, Davao de Oro Mayor was found dead after collapsing off a cliff during a trail running event in this town on Sunday.
Authorities said the victim, Klent John Brua, 39, of New Bataan, was discovered at around 3:30 p.m. in a ravine in Purok 7, Barangay San Jose. He had participated in the Bukindaw Mountain Trail Ultra, which included several race categories ranging from 3 to 50 kilometers.
Brua was registered in the 21-kilometer category. According to police, the race started at 4:30 a.m. from Purok Narra, Barangay New Visayas.
By noon, San Jose Barangay Captain Alfredo Jaway noticed that one participant had yet to return. A search operation was immediately launched by barangay personnel, troops from the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Brua was found unconscious at the bottom of a ravine and rushed to the Santo Tomas Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival.
A medical report cited traumatic brain injury, internal hemorrhage, and a possible cerebrovascular accident—likely triggered by heat stroke—as the causes of death.
In response, police urged the public and event organizers to ensure proper safety protocols and medical preparedness, especially for high-risk physical events.