One Missing, One Dead in Separate Galveston Beach Incidents Over Weekend

A 21-year-old man from Richmond was reported missing on Sunday morning while swimming with his family near Galveston’s Seawall Boulevard, leading to an extensive search operation due to dangerous surf conditions.

Captain Austin Kerwin of the Galveston Beach Patrol reported that crews responded to an emergency call shortly before noon after a man submerged near 75th Street and failed to resurface. Emergency responders, including Beach Patrol, police, fire, and EMS teams, acted swiftly and conducted a thorough search of the area for approximately two hours. Still, unfortunately, they were unable to find him.

On Sunday, Kerwin confirmed the issuance of warnings indicating hazardous surf conditions and strong rip currents. “The situation was challenging throughout the weekend,” he stated. “We urge everyone to exercise caution and swim in areas supervised by lifeguards.”

Search teams maintained their efforts along the shoreline throughout the afternoon and into Monday morning, utilizing boats, ATVs, and drones to broaden the search area. As of late Sunday, authorities had not disclosed the swimmer’s identity, awaiting notification of the family.

The event occurred merely a day following the death of another individual in different yet equally turbulent waters of the Gulf near 94th Street. 

Galveston Island Beach Patrol reported that crews were dispatched around 2 p.m. Saturday following reports from witnesses about a paddleboarder in distress.

Beach Patrol, in collaboration with Galveston EMS, the Fire Department, and the Police Department, rescued the man from the water and initiated CPR before he was taken to UTMB, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. 

Authorities reported that the individual had been paddleboarding for almost two hours before the incident.

Over the weekend, Galveston Island experienced significant high surf and powerful currents, prompting several red flag warnings. 

Officials advised swimmers and paddleboarders to remain within safe boundaries and near the shoreline, while rescue teams continued their search efforts. Rescue teams continued their search efforts on Monday, but the identities of the two individuals involved remain undisclosed.