A 12-year-old has died and a 6-year-old remains hospitalized after both children were pulled from the water at the Texas City Dike on Nov. 9. Six firefighters were also injured during the rescue effort.
Jennifer Laird, a spokesperson for Texas City, confirmed the incident took place on the afternoon of Nov. 9, according to Houston Public Media. The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning that day due to winds reaching up to 30 miles per hour.
Authorities told Fox 26 that the 6-year-old boy was saved by his father. The 12-year-old was retrieved from the water during a coordinated rescue operation involving Texas City Police, the Texas City Fire Department’s Marine Rescue team, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. He later died at the hospital, the fire department told the outlet.
Heavy winds pushed the TCFD’s rescue boats into nearby rocks, causing one vessel to capsize and injuring six firefighters, Fox 26 reported.
According to KHOU 11, two of the injured firefighters were released from the hospital on Monday, Nov. 10.
The identities of the children and the firefighters have not yet been released. Officials told the Houston Chronicle that it is still unknown how the children ended up in the water, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Texas City Dike — considered the longest man-made fishing pier — extends 5.3 miles into Galveston Bay, according to the city’s official website. The structure includes a 24-foot-wide asphalt road with 12-foot shoulders on each side and is located just over an hour outside Houston. With its location and four boat ramps, it is one of Texas’ most popular spots for fishing and boating.
