Sailing accident in East Texas

Catamaran probably struck power line; community rallies

A third Boy Scout died Monday in East Texas after a tragic accident in which the mast of a catamaran the boys were sailing apparently struck an overhead transmission power line, electrocuting them.

Thomas Larry, 11, died from his injuries after the accident Saturday at Lake O’ the Pines, said Steve Lightfoot, spokesman with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Two other Scouts, Will Brannon, 17, and Heath Faucheux, 16, died at the scene.

More than 300 people turned out for a candlelight vigil Sunday in Hallsville, a town of about 3,500 people 140 miles east of Dallas. They paid respects to Will and Heath and prayed for Thomas.

The community was reeling, Mayor Steve Eitelman told USA TODAY. “Kids, Scouting, service to God and our country, that is what we are all about here.”

Residents set up meal trains and a GoFundMe page for the families.

Eitelman, who has lived in Hallsville for 35 years, said the entire town was involved.

“Their tragedy is our tragedy,” Eitelman said. “We try to help. But I know I am powerless. The truth is it’s in God’s hands.”

Lindsey Farnham’s daughter marched in the Hallsville High School band with the victims. Farnham knew Will and knows his parents well.

“We’ve got meal trains set up, and we are coordinating with others to help with lawn maintenance, cleaning, anything the families might need,” she said. “It’s very humbling to see what people are willing to do for each other here.”

Preliminary investigations indicated the Scouts were electrocuted when their Hobie Cat catamaran struck an overhead transmission line Saturday in Lake O’ The Pines near Avinger, Texas Parks and Wildlife said in a statement.

Game wardens arrived to find the catamaran on fire with the sails up about 300 yards north of the power lines, the statement said.

“Absolute chaos,” Capt. Quint Balkcom of Texas Parks and Wildlife told KLTV in Tyler, Texas. “This is a terrible event.”

Wardens discovered the older teen onboard and another in the water a short distance away. Both “suffered severe bodily injuries” and were dead at the scene, the statement said.

Thomas was found unresponsive & their families.”

Dewayne Stephens, CEO of the Scouts’ East Texas Area Council, issued a statement thanking emergency teams for their response.

“This is an extremely difficult time for our Scouting family,” Stephens said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. We will support them in any way that we can,” he said. argue are illegal bids to withhold public safety grants from socalled sanctuary cities.

The 46-page lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, a day after Emanuel announced the litigation and said the city wouldn’t “be blackmailed” into changing its values as a welcoming place. He argued it’s unconstitutional for a city “to be coerced on a policy.”