As efforts continue along the Trinity River, the search for a missing father, who vanished after heroically attempting to save his teenage son and another boy from a capsized kayak, intensifies with local authorities and rescue teams working against the clock. KHOU reported that the search resumed early Monday following the tragic incident on Sunday near the Camilla boat ramp in San Jacinto County, where choppy river waters led to the kayak's overturning and the subsequent drowning of two teens, ages 14 and 15.
The father, 53, dove into the turbulent waters in a desperate bid to rescue the boys, but did not resurface – prompting an overnight suspension of the search, which resumed at daybreak and now includes several agencies such as the Texas State Park Police and local first responders, according to FOX 26 Houston. In the wake of the accident, heartrending details emerged as Julia Poff, mother of the 14-year-old Jake Poff, recounted to FOX 26 Houston the moment she learned of her child's and husband's fate: "I was notified by a game warden on the phone and then a personal visit to my house. My 14-year-old son Jake 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."
While the identity of the 15-year-old friend has yet to be disclosed, the community reels from the event as they come to grips with the devastating news, the family has also set up a fundraiser to help with the unforeseen funeral expenses, although the full scope of this calamity is still unfolding. San Jacinto County Sheriff Sam Houston expressed his condolences and highlighted the collective mourning and support of the local community, saying, "This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts go out to this family and everyone affected," in a sentiment that was echoed by local officials and the extended community at large, as reported by both KHOU and FOX 26 Houston.
