A man is currently in critical condition after he reportedly dove off a dam at Badu Park in Llano. The incident unfolded Sunday evening, as reported by KXAN. Emergency services, including the police, Hamilton EMS, and the Llano Volunteer Fire Department, responded swiftly once they received reports of a man who had jumped and failed to resurface.
According to KXAN, the man was found and subsequently dragged out of the water, where he was discovered to have suffered from a severe head injury due to striking his head on a rock underwater. He was first taken in an ambulance to Llano Regional Hospital, as detailed in the release. With his condition deemed critical, he was then airlifted to rapidly receive further medical treatment.
Police Chief John Bauer highlighted the dangers of the area in a statement acquired by CBS Austin, noting, "The dam is not a place to jump or dive from." Bauer emphasized that the waters below the dam are shallow, and what lies beneath is not visible, making the act of diving not only dangerous but potentially life-threatening, especially when retention boards are in place. The Llano Police Department has since advised people to refrain from such activities and to maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from the dam when retention boards are set up.
