An eleven-year-old boy from the Amarillo area was playing near the water on the east side of White River Lake near Campground #1 Sunday morning with family members when he fell in and drowned, according to White River Lake police chief Jimmy Isbell.
Isbell was first on the scene after receiving the emergency dispatch at 10:59. Although arriving only moments afterward via boat, his staff were unable to locate the boy. Game wardens found the boy’s signature with a portable side scan sonar and called in Lubbock Fire and Rescue for assistance; the body was recovered at about 3:30, according to Isbell.
The boy was non-swimmer and the youngest one in group, a few days short of his twelfth birthday, Isbell said, and was not wearing a life jacket. No names have been released at this time pending notification of other relatives.
SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
While White River Lake and numerous other local swimming spots aren’t in state parks, the good advice from the TPWD website regarding swimming in state park lakes, rivers and beaches is applicable to many situations.
STAYING SAFE
Please follow all water safety warnings and these state park swimming safety tips:
Learn to swim. Formal lessons can help protect swimmers from drowning. Children swimming in lakes and rivers should wear life jackets.
Closely supervise children. It only takes a moment for a child to slip below the surface. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children.
Be aware of your surroundings. Lakes, rivers and streams are natural environments. Watch for sudden dropoffs, changing bottoms and unseen limbs, rocks, and other objects.
Stay hydrated. Take breaks, wear sunscreen, drink water and avoid alcohol.
Never swim alone. Even experienced swimmers can get tired or experience muscle cramps. Having a buddy helps.
Assess your skills. Avoid taking chances. If you do not know how to swim, stay out of the water, even with a raft or another flotation device.
Swim only in designated areas. Park leaders make careful decisions about the safest and best places to swim.
CONSIDER CURRENTS
Water can look calm on the surface, but be aware of currents under the surface. In a lake, river or ocean, underwater currents can put you in danger. If you are caught in a current, swim with it until conditions are calm enough for you to reach safety.
ON THE RIVER
Be aware of changing conditions. Swift currents from flash flooding can happen in an instant. If you notice water rising, turning muddy or changing, leave immediately.
Wind, tide and currents can contribute to water conditions. If you have questions or concerns about water safety, please ask park staff.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If anyone is in danger, please contact a park ranger or call 911 immediately.
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