A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon at Lake Jacksonville when a 15-year-old boy drowned while attempting to save a 5-year-old child who had drifted away on a flotation device. Local authorities reported that the youth successfully jumped into the water to assist the child, who was unharmed.
The Jacksonville Police Department received an emergency call at 2:31 p.m. regarding the drowning at the Lake Jacksonville Campgrounds. Initial investigations revealed that the teenager entered the water to retrieve the child from deeper waters. Eyewitnesses reported that he called for help before disappearing beneath the surface.
Immediate assistance came from nearby citizens and a passing boater, who retrieved the teenager from the lake and initiated CPR. Emergency responders from the Jacksonville Police Department and the Fire Department soon arrived to take over lifesaving measures. Despite their efforts, the teenager was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His identity has not been disclosed pending notification of his family.
Authorities confirmed that the young child involved in the incident was unharmed. The police department expressed its condolences, acknowledging the “courageous efforts” of the bystanders who rushed to assist the drowning victim. Officials have indicated that there is currently no evidence of foul play, and the investigation is ongoing.
Lake Jacksonville is located approximately 3 miles southwest of the city of Jacksonville in Cherokee County, East Texas. It lies about 115 miles southeast of Dallas and 26 miles south of Tyler.
