Swimmer Goes Missing At Hatter Cove In Lake Travis

Austin TX

12 July, 2021

9:49 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — A swimmer remains missing after disappearing in the Hatter Cove Area of Lake Travis over the Fourth of July Weekend, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office. The swimmer, who was identified as Lonnie Gray, 28, of Navasota, was last seen swimming on July 3 in an area of Lake Travis that is 85-130 feet deep, authorities said Saturday. Authorities said they received a 911 call of a missing swimmer at 4:53 p.m. Saturday, July 3 near the Hatter Cove area of the lake. At 5:29 p.m., officials shifted from rescue efforts to recovery. The sheriff's office, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Jonestown Police Department and Fire Department, Lake Travis Fire & Rescue, Briarcliff Fire Department and Starflight engaged in recover efforts until dusk that evening, authorities said. TCSO's search grid encompassed several points where witnesses reported seeing Gray. Officials said the area is several football fields in length with groves of trees at the bottom, which are quite hazardous for sonar and divers. The sheriff's office said search efforts were continuous throughout the course of the week. Deputies started shoreline searches daily at 6 a.m. During daylight hours, TCSO's entire fleet of boats actively searched using various types of sonar. Texas Parks & Wildlife also assisted nearly every day, using their deep sonar, officials said. Tuesday afternoon, Austin Police Department searched using their sonar and Houston Police Department searched using their 360 sonar on Wednesday. TCSO's Dive Team remained on stand-by to dive whenever a viable location was identified. Search dogs and underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) were also used in the recovery efforts. Lake Patrol Deputies will continue to respond to calls on Lake Travis and while on duty, will also conduct surface and shoreline searches for Gray, officials said. Sonar and dive team searches will continue on an intermittent basis. Gray is one of three swimmers reported missing on Lake Travis within the last 10 years who have not been recovered, authorities said. In May of 2018, Manuel Salas of Elgin was last seen near Mansfield Dam (140 feet deep) and in July of 2014, Song Hy Sok of Dallas was last reported in the Sandy Creek Arm (90 feet deep with pecan trees), officials said. RELATED COVERAGE:Austin ISD Teacher Killed In Hiking Accident In El Paso Missing Austin Hiker Found Safe In California National Park Travis County Sheriff's Office Recovers Body In Devil's Cove