A Texas father remains missing after jumping into the Trinity River to rescue his son and his son’s friend when their kayak overturned. Both teenagers were later found dead.
According to a news release from the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Camilla boat ramp on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 9, after receiving a report of an overturned kayak.
“Witnesses reported that two juveniles were riding a kayak when choppy river conditions caused it to overturn,” the sheriff’s office said. “The father entered the water in an attempt to rescue his son and his son’s friend but did not resurface.”
The teens, ages 15 and 14, were eventually recovered.
In a statement shared Tuesday, Nov. 11, Texas Game Wardens confirmed the ongoing search for the missing 53-year-old man.
“Texas Game Wardens have dedicated multiple resources to the search: game wardens from San Jacinto and Polk counties, members of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team, a human remains K9 and possible aviation assets,” the agency noted. “Finding the victim remains our top priority.”
Although authorities have not publicly released the victims’ identities, family members have spoken out.
Melissa Patterson identified the 15-year-old as her nephew, Eric Lynn, according to CBS affiliate KHOU.
Julia Poff told Fox affiliate KRIV that her 14-year-old son Jake also died, and that the missing man is her estranged husband, William Poff.
“We are all grieving the loss of two children and a loving father,” Patterson said.
Julia told KRIV that her son and his friend “were out on a kayak here on the Trinity River and somehow it capsized.”
“They went under and never came back up,” she said. “My soon-to-be ex-husband jumped in, tried to save his son and his friend, and he went under, and he hasn’t been found yet.”
“We have five kids together, so we’re waiting for Dad to come home so we can lay him to rest,” she added. “Billie was an auto mechanic. We were married for 28 years, he was a good father… We had our differences as we got older and drifted apart.”
Julia said her son was a freshman at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School and dreamed of becoming a cowboy.
The other teen’s family, whose child also attended the school, urged the public to stay away from the Trinity River.
“It is not safe,” Patterson told KHOU. “We have pulled numerous bodies out of that water for nonsense. Everybody please stay out of the river.”
Online fundraisers have been launched to help support both families.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts go out to this family and everyone affected,” San Jacinto County Sheriff Sam Houston said in a statement. “We ask our community to join us in prayer for comfort and strength for the loved ones involved.”
