A passenger on Vessel 1, reported to Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens that she, her husband, and their grandchild, were fishing on Choke Canyon Reservoir at approximately 10:00 am on Sunday, May 6th, 2012. Passenger reported that at around 3:00 pm they untied from some tree stumps and began to head back to the boat ramp at the South Shore unit of Choke Canyon State Park. Passenger reported that after they untied from their fishing spot, Operator’s hat blew off. Upon his attempt to retrieve his hat, Operator fell into the water and struggled to stay afloat. Passenger stated that a life jacket was thrown and a pole was used in attempts to reach Operator, but he had submerged and did not re-surface.

Texas Game Wardens, State Troopers, Live Oak County EMS, Sheriffs Department, Volunteer Fire and Rescue teams, and the San Marcos Area Recovery Team (SMART) participated in recovery efforts for the remainder of the afternoon. The next day, Texas Game Wardens located Operator with the aid of a Side Scan Sonar device. Operator was recovered at approximately 2:28 pm on Monday, May 7th, 2012, with assistance from SMART divers.

Three Rivers                  