owner had recently made repairs to his vessel (TX  2554 WY) for an overheating problem.  He and his three friends were testing the vessel on Grapevine Lake.  They launched the vessel from Oak Grove Park boat ramp at the end of Dove Loop Road.  Shortly after leaving the boat ramp they realized they had forgotten 3 life jackets.  They turned the vessel around to return to shore.  The boat began to overheat again.  On their third attempt to get the boat ramp they stopped to allow the boat engine to cool before starting again.  The witnesses stated that steam was rising from the engine compartment.  operator stated that he let off the throttle and looked toward the engine compartment.  Upon turning back to the front of the boat he saw subject's legs in the air and subject entering the water in front of the vessel.

two other occupants both gave similar stories relating to seeing ocucpant's feet, much like he was diving in the water.  Shortly afterward all three witnesses remember hearing a thump on the bottom of the vessel.  occupant1 stated he heard two load thumps on the bottom of the vessel.  two occupants entered the water and attempted to grab third occupant.  Both witnesses stated that they saw occupant floating for a short period of time but that he sank before they could reach him.  

operator turned the vessel to where his friends were in the water.  He dialed 911.  At which time he put out the boats anchor to try and mark the spot.  He also stated that the 911 operator asked him to look for landmarks to mark the spot.  operator stated that he was west of the island headed toward the Dove Loop Boat ramp.  If he looked between the island and the shore he was about half way between the two and could see a white square that was lit up on the dam.  During the time that he and his friends were searching for victim another vessel arrived and threw out a marker buoy.

Grapevine Fire Department and Dive Team arrived on scene and searched until around 11:00 pm.  At that time the search was suspended until daylight the next day.
Grapevine                     