Three siblings died after they were overcome by waves while swimming in Texas.
The four children were swimming at Sylvan Beach in LaPorte around 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Click2Houston reported that one of the children resurfaced first, a 13-year-old girl. A deputy at the scene saw her body floating near the shore and pulled her in after seeing the body of the child.
The other juveniles, ages 7 and 11, were not immediately located, authorities said.
After hours of searching, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said on Twitter that “the final body has just been recovered, believed to be the 7-year-old.”
“No words. Please keep the children and their family in your prayers,” the sheriff added.
Sylvan Beach update: the final body has just been recovered. Believed to be the 7 year old make. No words. Please keep the children and their family in your prayers. #HouNews
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 9, 2019
One child survived, a 12-year-old boy. A nearby adult who happened to see the incident managed to rescue one of the children. Both have been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, ABC13 reported.
Gonzalez told news outlets he is not clear about the latest condition of the survivor’s.
“I was told … stable to serious, we’re praying that he makes a full recovery,” the Sheriff said.
“We’re all devastated. Wish we could have done more,” Gonzalez told ABC13.
“We’re all devastated. Wish we could have done more.”
–@SheriffEd_HCSO speaking to media after 3 children were pulled from the water at Sylvan Beach. 3/4 siblings drowned yesterday evening. #abc13 https://t.co/JGBQ2XjNxs— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) August 9, 2019
Investigators are still tryng to piece together how the drowniings occurred, but Gonzalez said “choppy waters and undercurrents” may have contributed to the children’s deaths, The Houston Chronicle reported.
Gonzalez also said on Twitter that the four juveniles, “possibly went beyond a water safety buoy.”
1-@HCSOTexas Park Units are our at Sylvan Beach Dr (LaPorte). Four juveniles were swimming, possibly went beyond a water safety buoy, and were overcome by a waves. Tides & rip currents are strong. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/7VTJAXaVpk
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 9, 2019
However, he added that he also heard different things. That a large boat may have passed, creating a bigger wave that may have overcome the siblings, according to Click2Houston.
Authorities have not released the children’s identities, as investigations are still ongoing.
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.
