Two swimmers went missing on Lake Travis outside Austin last week. As of Sunday morning, September 5, 2021, the body of one of the swimmers, a victim of drowning, had been recovered. The remains of the swimmer recovered were recovered using sonar equipment with a reach to a depth of 144 feet. The water in which the remains of one of the two missing swimmers is deeper than 144 feet. Search and recovery crew members believe that the remains of the second missing person likely are the general area of where the swimmer’s body was found.
Nine people have been reported missing on Lake Travis so far in 2021. Two people who have been reported missing on the water this year have not yet been found. This includes the person who is the subject of the current recovery operation on Lake Travis.
Two other years have had lake related losses comparable to what has been experienced thus far in 2021:
- In 2018, seven people lost their lives on Lake Travis.
- In 2011, eight people died while on Lake Travis.
With the Labor Day weekend upon us, the prospect exists that more injuries and even deaths potentially could occur on Lake Travis. Traditionally, the Labor Day holiday marks the last “big hurrah” of the summertime.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office reports that of all of the people who lost their lives while recreating on Lake Travis who have been recovered, not one individual had been wearing a lifejacket at the time of his or her demise. Sheriff’s Department personnel remind those recreating on Lake Travis of a number of primary safety tactics:
- Wear a lifejacket when onboard a watercraft.
- Wear a lifejacket when entering the water.
- Never operate a boat while intoxicate.
In updating the media and the public about ongoing search and recovery efforts, Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez announced:
“We know the turmoil families experience when these tragic events happen. We use every resource we have to find their loved ones and bring closure as quickly as possible.”
The resources currently being used by the search and recovery crews at Lake Travis include:
- Different types of sonar equipment
- Drones
- Searches of the shoreline conducted by emergency personnel and others
- Searches of the water conducted by emergency personnel and others.
Drowning is a nearly always preventable accident. The grim reality is that drowning is responsible for about 350,000 preventable deaths worldwide each and every year. This includes drowning deaths that occur at:
Lakes
- Rivers
- Ponds
- Public swimming pools
- Private swimming pools
- Waterparks
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office issues an advisement for people using the lake in the general area of where search and recovery operations are ongoing:
“We ask boaters traveling through the search areas to please slow down. We want to make sure our search teams are safe, and the lower wake makes sonar readings more accurate. Please wear your life jacket and remember that operating a boat while intoxicated is just as illegal as driving a car while intoxicated.”
If you or a loved one have been injured in an aquatic accident, or if you’ve lost a family member as a result of a drowning accident of some sort, you need to have a clear understanding of your vital legal rights. A Doan Law Firm drowning accident lawyer can explain your rights and answer any questions you may have at this time. You can reach The Doan Law Firm any time of the day or night by (800) 349-0000, 365 days a year, including all major holidays.
A nationwide legal practice, you can schedule an appointment at any one of our 40 offices located from coast to coast in the United States. We can also arrange for a virtual case evaluation online as well. There is never a charge for an initial consultation and case evaluation from a Doan Law Firm aquatic accident lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee pledge to you. Our firm will never charge an attorney fee unless we win for you. Our dedicated drowning accident attorney team is committed to fighting for you towards obtaining justice and the compensation you deserve in your case.
