Body of missing child recovered from Lake Travis

AUSTIN, Texas – UPDATE: (July 4, 9:19 p.m.) — The body of a child was recovered from Lake Travis Tuesday night, Travis County officials said.

Officials said it is believed to be the child who fell in the lake Monday, July 3 near Cow Creek.

Officials say recovery efforts continue on Lake Travis for a missing child on Monday, July 3.

“It makes me sick, really sick. Our whole neighborhood is just praying for this family that their lives will never be the same. Heart-wrenching,” neighbor Kristin Miller said.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said a call came in at 2 p.m. Monday for a child missing in Lake Travis near Cow Creek, which is west of Lago Vista.

“It was a big couple of ambulances, some firefighters, some police cars, so I kind of followed, just walked down to see what was going on. I saw them all talking to each other, and I could tell that they were obviously looking for somebody that was missing because a couple of police officers took off on foot, all down here in front of the pool area, and then some others got in their car and then left,” Miller said.

Austin-Travis County EMS said rescuers and Star Flight searched for a child who had fallen off a boat, but didn’t find a patient. Efforts then turned to recovery.

“Accidents happen, and it just makes me sick to think that somebody’s lives have been changed forever today,” Miller said.

Early reports indicate the child wasn’t wearing a life jacket. Life jackets are required by law for children under the age of 13 while a vessel is moving. It must fit properly and be in good condition.

“We want to encourage really everyone on a boat to wear a life jacket, but especially those weaker swimmers and the children, Austin Travis County EMS Captain Darren Nowak said.

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for kids under the age of five.

“It’s a good idea to assign a water guardian who’s really only specific goal is to watch everyone who’s in the water and keep track of them,” Captain Nowak said.

The Pedernales Fire Department said it’s an active situation.

The search area is near the part of Lake Travis that curves around Pace Bend Park. The entrance to Cow Creek is where the child reportedly fell off a boat.

“Cow Creek is, if you can imagine trying to swim in a cappuccino, its like chocolate milk in there,” said Robert Weiss with Lake Travis Scuba.

Weiss spoke to FOX 7 Tuesday by phone from another dive location. He is not part of the search near Cow Creek, but he is familiar with the challenges there.

“So down in Cow Creek you are going to have on top of the milky conditions, you are going to have these snaps and sticks, this undergrowth…old trees that were there when the lake was non-existent,” said Weiss.

As of Monday afternoon, the sheriff’s office had not released specific details regarding the drowning. FOX 7 was told this is the third drowning in Lake Travis this summer. 

Weiss offered advice for those who plan to venture out on the water this summer.

“Wear a life jacket, when you read the story of many of the situations that occur out here, a life jacket was not involved. That’s the one common thing among all the drowning victim, they didn’t have a life jacket on. So if nothing else ear a life jacket,” said Weiss.

Weiss also warned that Lake Travis has many spots where shallow areas are next to steep drop-offs. The water level can go from a few feet to 40 feet deep in one step.