Texas official describes camp counsellor's heroic act to save girls from devastating flood that killed at least 27 others
A camp counsellor performed a heroic act to save the lives of children during the devastating flood at Camp Mystic in Texas.
Camp Mystic is a Christian all-girls camp located on the banks of the Guadalupe River, where floodwater rose 26 feet (eight metres) in just 45 minutes in the early hours of Friday (4 July), causing destruction to everything in its path as the campers slept.
More than 80 people have been confirmed dead in the floods, with Camp Mystic has confirmed the devastating loss of 27 campers and counsellors.
On Monday (7 July) Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick explained how one camp counsellor heroically saved the lives of some of the campers by smashing a window so they could swim to safety.
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The campers were all still in their pyjamas and swam through neck-high water.
"These little girls, they swam for about 10 or 15 minutes," Patrick told the Fox & Friends TV programme.
"Can you imagine, in the darkness and the rushing waters and trees coming by you and rocks come on you? And then they get to a spot on the land."
Camp Mystic issued a statement following the heartbreaking Texas floods.
A new message on their website reads: "Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counsellors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river.
"Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly."
It continued: "We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.
"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level.
"We ask for your continued prayers, respect and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us."
One survivor, Stella Thompson, 13, recalled seeing the devastation that the flood had caused.
The cabin Thompson was staying in was on higher ground on the Cypress Lake side of the camping ground, while other campers were sleeping closer to the Guadalupe River.
Thompson and her fellow campers noticed that the power in their cabin had dropped overnight and camp leaders told them to stay indoors. On the morning of 4 July they heard helicopters flying overhead and realised they were in a serious situation.
“You'd see kayaks in trees and it was kind of horrific because we had no idea.”
She added: “It didn’t look like Camp Mystic anymore.”
Topics: US News
Greg Harris