MARTINDALE, Texas (KXAN) – The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KXAN that a man was recovered from the San Marcos River over the weekend.
It said the sheriff’s office received a report a man drowned around 3 p.m. on Saturday. According to the sheriff’s office, searchers from the New Braunfels Fire Department Dive Team, Martindale Fire and Rescue and Mid-County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene.
The body was recovered Sunday around 2:14 p.m.
The sheriff’s office said the person was possibly from out of state and the incident is being labeled an accident.
It is the first known recovery of this year, according to the sheriff’s office. Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed there have been no drownings reported on the San Marcos River for the past five years before this.
How is safety enforced?
Three miles of the San Marcos River run through the City of Martindale.
Sgt. Steve Ou with the Caldwell County Constable’s Office Precinct Three said the department is tasked with keeping the river safe.
“We have about four to seven deputies on per weekend and we work normally Saturdays and Sundays,” Ou said. “Patrols out here, both mobile in vehicles. We also do them here on foot. We’ll move from location to location throughout the day.”
He said they primarily look for safety violations while also checking if anyone needs emergency services.
“Underage drinking, drug use, people that are passed out,” Ou said. “People in need of immediate care.”
The constable’s office isn’t the only one keeping an eye out. Skyler Rice and Alec Eiermann are river monitors for tubing companies in the area.
“If we can tell if someone’s kind of not feeling too great, we’ll hand them a water,” Eiermann said.
Along with keeping people hydrated, Rice said they’ve stepped up in emergency situations as well.
“There was someone who was unconscious on the river,” Rice said. “So we pulled her out, pulled her over here, called EMS, they got her out, checked her out, took her away in the ambulance.”
River safety tips
Ou said if you’re going out on the water, be just as prepared as you would be for a camping trip.
He suggested the following:
- bring a lot of water
- wear a lifejacket if you can’t swim well
- bring snacks you don’t have to refrigerate
- if drinking alcohol, do so moderately
As it starts to heat up, both law enforcement and river monitors said they’ll be ready for the summer crowds.
“Make sure that they have a good and safe time,” Eiermann said.
