Harris County sheriff's deputies and the agency's dive team rushed out Sunday night to 1927 Gulf Pump Road in Crosby after a small boat capsized on the San Jacinto River and a male occupant never came back up. Officials say the man is believed to be about 20 years old. Marine and dive units stayed on the water late into the night searching the area.
HCSO Dive Team Works Night Search
In an update posted by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on X, Harris County deputies and the HCSO Dive Team were reported to be working in the 1900 block of Gulf Pump Road in Crosby after a small boat flipped and a male occupant did not resurface. Gonzalez shared the man's approximate age but did not release his name or provide further details about his condition. Officials also did not immediately release any additional circumstances around the incident.
River Spot Near Off-Road Park Has Grim History
The stretch of the San Jacinto River along Gulf Pump Road, home to the Xtreme Off-Road Park and Beach, has seen multiple water rescues and recovery operations in recent years, according to local reporting. Coverage by the Houston Chronicle details prior cases where HCSO dive teams pulled victims from the river near the same address. That reporting highlights unpredictable currents and hidden underwater hazards that make swimming in open water and using small boats in this area especially risky.
Officials Push Familiar but Crucial Safety Reminders
Open water often masks fast-moving currents and hard-to-spot obstacles under the surface. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department advises boaters and swimmers to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, skip the alcohol while on the water and complete boater education courses. According to TPWD, most boating deaths involve people who were not wearing life jackets. Local officials have repeatedly pointed to those same risks after earlier drownings on the San Jacinto River.
Authorities have not released the missing man's name or any additional information about the incident. Anyone with tips or details is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office information line at (346) 286-1600. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
