Accidents and deaths that are related to kayaking or using other paddle craft have risen in Texas in recent years; however, those involving personal watercraft were reduced. This year, the Fourth of July weekend and the days preceding it saw a rise in boating-related accidents and incidents wherein boaters violate Texas’ boating laws.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s law enforcement division assistant commander Cody Jones, there were several serious boating accidents in the state over the three-day weekend, 34 was the total number of those investigated.
One of the accidents claimed one life as a person fell from a boat on Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson and Kaufman Counties and hit the boat’s propeller, which Jones, who is at the top of the marine law enforcement agency charged by the Texas Legislature with the enforcement of the state’s Water Safety Act, deemed “a horrific tragedy”.
Jeff Benton of The Benton Law Firm understands the tragedy of death during what should be a fun-filled weekend. His thoughts go out to the victim and their loved ones.