TCSO Recovers Missing Swimmer Urges Lake Patrons To Make Safety A Priority

Press release from Travis County Sheriff's Office:

September 3, 2021

TCSO Recovers Missing Swimmer Urges Lake Patrons to Make Safety a Priority

TCSO has executed recovery missions for a total of nine people, reported missing on Lake Travis this year. Seven of them have been recovered. Search efforts remain active for the other two. While the number of people who have gone missing in the lake is high this year, it’s not unprecedented. In 2011, eight decedents were recovered from the lake and in 2018, seven.

TCSO continues to search for a swimmer reported missing the evening of August 7, 2021. The missing man was reportedly last seen in an area between Starnes Island and North Shore. That area of the lake is over 120 feet deep. TCSO is also actively searching for the second of two men, reportedly last seen near Hurst Creek, August 28, 2021. The depth in that area is over 140 feet. Deputies are conducting shoreline, surface and aerial (drone) searches, and using various types of sonar in an attempt to locate them. TCSO has been assisted by other agencies including Texas Parks & Wildlife, Jonestown PD, Austin PD and Starflight in the search efforts. Over the last ten years, a total of four people, reportedly last seen swimming in Lake Travis, are still missing. One in 2014, one in 2018 and two in 2021.Without exception, missing persons recovered from Lake Travis by TCSO were not wearing a life jacket. TCSO implores patrons of Lake Travis to be safety conscious and wear life jackets when boating or getting into the water. It’s the one thing guaranteed to give swimmers a chance for rescue if there’s an emergency.

This press release was produced by Travis County Sheriff's Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.