A 15-year-old boy from Rusk died Saturday after entering the water at Lake Jacksonville in an attempt to rescue a 5-year-old child who had drifted away on a float, authorities said. The teen moved into deeper water and began calling for help before a boater pulled him from the lake. First responders took him to UT Health Jacksonville, where he was later pronounced dead. The younger child was not injured, and Jacksonville police have opened an investigation into the drowning.
What police say
Officers were dispatched to the Lake Jacksonville campgrounds around 2:31 p.m. after a 911 call, Police Chief Steven Markasky told CBS19. According to the outlet, the teenager went into the water to bring back the child on the float, then cried out for help from deeper water. The boater who reached him started lifesaving efforts before emergency crews arrived.
Where it happened
The incident occurred at the city-run Lake Jacksonville campgrounds, a roughly 1,325-acre reservoir about three miles from downtown that includes public swimming areas and boat ramps. The city’s parks and recreation map lists the campground at 2703 Byrd Road and outlines shelters, RV pads and launch ramps, according to the City of Jacksonville.
Boater’s action and investigation
A nearby boater pulled the teen from the water and attempted to resuscitate him, the local Cherokeean reports. Police have not released the victim’s name and say detectives are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the drowning.
Safety context
Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death for young children, and open-water incidents remain a significant risk in recreational settings, the CDC notes. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also warns that many boating-related fatalities involve people who were not wearing life jackets and urges close supervision and use of personal flotation devices around lakes.
What’s next
Jacksonville police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact the department, according to the Cherokeean. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
