NEED TO KNOW
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Two teens drowned after their kayak capsized in Texas’ Trinity River, while the father of one of the teens who went into water to rescue them remains missing
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The search for the missing father continues as of Tuesday, Nov. 11
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Relatives of the the two teens identified them as Eric Lynn, 15, and Jake Poff, 14
A father jumped into a Texas river to try and rescue his son and his son’s friend when their kayak overturned over the weekend. Although the two teens were found dead, the dad remains missing.
In a news release, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office said officers responded to the Camilla boat ramp on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 9, following a report of an overturned kayak in the Trinity River.
“Witnesses reported that two juveniles were riding a kayak when choppy river conditions caused it to overturn,” the sheriff’s office said. “The father entered the water in an attempt to rescue his son and his son’s friend but did not resurface.”
The bodies of the two juveniles, 15 and 14, were eventually recovered.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Texas Game Wardens said the search continues for the 53-year-old missing man.
“Texas Game Wardens have dedicated multiple resources to the search: game wardens from San Jacinto and Polk counties, members of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team, a human remains K9 and possible aviation assets,” they wrote. “Finding the victim remains our top priority.”
Although neither the two teens nor the missing man have been publicly identified by authorities, loved ones have shared their names while honoring them.
Melissa Patterson identified the 15-year-old victim as her nephew Eric Lynn, CBS affiliate KHOU reported.
Meanwhile, Julia Poff told Fox affiliate KRIV that her 14-year-old son Jake also died, while the missing man is her estranged husband, William Poff.
“We are all grieving the loss of two children and a loving father,” said Patterson.
Julia told KRIV that her son and his friend “were out on a kayak here on the Trinity River and somehow it capsized.”
“They went under and never came back up,” she continued. “My soon-to-be ex-husband jumped in, tried to save his son and his friend, and he went under, and he hasn’t been found yet.”
“We have five kids together, so we’re waiting for Dad to come home so we can lay him to rest,” she continued. “Billie was an auto mechanic. We were married for 28 years, he was a good father…We had our differences as we got older and drifted apart.”
Julia said her son was a freshman at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School and dreamed of becoming a cowboy someday.
The family of the other young victim, a fellow student at the school, went on to urge others to avoid Trinity River.
“It is not safe,” Patterson told KHOU. “We have pulled numerous bodies out of that water for nonsense. Everybody please stay out of the river.”
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Online fundraisers have been created to support both families.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts go out to this family and everyone affected,” San Jacinto County Sheriff Sam Houston said in a statement. “We ask our community to join us in prayer for comfort and strength for the loved ones involved.”
Read the original article on People
