On 07-26-2011, At 3:39 p.m., Ft. Hood Game Warden responded to a possible drowning at Belton Lake Out Door Recreation Area, (BLORA), on Lake Belton.  Upon his arrival, he met with two people, who stated that they had lost visual of their friend. 
Event Description:  Operator stated that he was operating the vessel which was pulling a tube. Two occupants both had volunteered to go for rides. victim had fallen off the tube and was pulled back into the vessel. At this time, victim had removed his life jacket stating that it did not fit right and would go on without it. Both operator and other occupant had asked victim if he was sure about riding the tube without his jacket. victim replied that he was sure about it and that he was a good swimmer. victim continued riding the tube, falling for a second time. victim was retrieved by the other two occupants in the vessel. victim again continued to ride the tube without a life jacket falling for a third and final time. victim began to wave his arms in a distressful manner. Operator circled the vessel to retrieve victim but had turned too sharp and was unsuccessful. At this time victim began to go under the surface.  operator attempted once again and was unsuccessful. At this time operator asked occupant to jump in the water and attempt to rescue victim. occupant stated that he could not swim but jumped in regardless. The rescue attempt was unsuccessful. operator helped occupant into the boat and called 911. At this time, Ft. Hood Game Wardens, Texas Game Wardens, Ft. Hood Fire and Rescue, and Morgan's Point search and Rescue responded. The search was called off for the evening at approximately 2055 hrs due to inability to see.  Recovery efforts continued early the next morning with Texas Game Warden and Morgans Point dive team. Side scan images were dove upon but also was unsuccessful. Morgans Point Dive team called off diving efforts that afternoon. Evening and morning boat patrols continued with Texas Game Wardens and Ft. Hood Game Wardens. On the morning of July 29, 2011, at approxiamtely 6:40 a.m., Texas Game Warden recieved a call from Ft. Hood Game Wardens that what appeared to be a body was floating approximately 100 yards off the shore line of BLORA. Upon arrival, a body had indeed surfaced. Justice of the Peace was dispatched to the scene and had pronounced victim deceased at 8:50 a.m. Temple Mortuary was also dispatched to the scene to transport the body.  victim's father arrived on scene and positivly identified the body as his son.
Belton                        