Boy Scouts killed in East Texas sailing accident
Catamaran probably struck power line; community rallies
Catamaran struck power line, killing 3
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 unrespon- sive in a boat nearby as good Samaritans administered CPR. He was airlifted about 70 miles to LSU Medical Center-Shreveport in Louisiana.
Kelly Camp Weatherford, a friend of the Larry family, set up the GoFundMe page to help cover expenses for Thomas. It reached its $10,000 goal in 20 hours.
All three boys were wearing personal flotation devices at the time of the accident, Texas Parks and Wildlife said.
Balkcom said the boat was impounded, so investigators can get “a full picture of what happened.” Rob Walker, general manager of Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative, said the company was cooperating with the investigation.
“Our heartfelt prayers go out for all of the Scouts, their families and for the community,” Walker said in a statement. “We are working to determine what happened, and we are gathering facts as they become available.”
Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted, “A terrible tragedy. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Boy Scouts & 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.
“Their tragedy is our tragedy. We try to help. But I know I am powerless. The truth is it’s in God’s hands.” Mayor Steve Eitelman, Hallsville, Texas