Body of man who tried to save daughter is recovered

The body of a man who went missing in Canyon Lake over the holiday weekend after trying to save his 2year-old daughter when they both went overboard was recovered Tuesday afternoon.

Rob Berlingeri, 41, and daughter Sydalee fell into the water after a boating accident Sunday evening, according to their family’s social media posts. The girl was rescued by people in another boat, but her father went under and did not resurface.

Robert Mikel, chief of Canyon Lake Fire and EMS, said Berlingeri was reported missing just before 8 p.m. Sunday. Rescuers returned Monday to search the lake and were out again Tuesday morning with a rescue boat and a dive team. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was leading the effort, with assistance from the San Marcos Area Recovery Team and the Canyon Lake Fire Department.

The South Hays Fire Department Dive Team helped recover Berlingeri’s body at 2:30 p.m. from 77 feet of water, the department announced via social media.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,” officials said.

Priscilla Berlingeri said on Facebook that she jumped into the water Sunday to help her husband keep their daughter’s head above water.

“He and I were both drowning as we tried to keep Sydalee’s head above water,” she wrote. “Meanwhile, he and I kept submerging under. Everything happened too fast. I’ve never experienced that level of fear and panic. I was watching both of us drown and I couldn’t save us. Rob fought so hard for us and gave his life to be sure we lived. He is and will always be my hero.”

Priscilla said a family friend in another boat was able to jump in and rescue her and Sydalee.

“I am so broken that Sydalee lost the best dad in the world,” she wrote. “Our final moments will forever haunt me.”

Canyon Lake has seen a spike in visitors because drought conditions have reduced water levels at other swimming and boating destinations, such as Medina Lake and the Guadalupe River, Mikel said.

There were back-to-back drownings on June 5 and June 6. A week later, two people were killed by a boat propeller. This weekend’s drowning occurred while Canyon Lake was filled with boaters for the July Fourth weekend.