Trinity River drowning: 2 teens dead, father recovered by authorities

2 teens dead, search continues for missing father in Trinity River

FOX 26 Reporter Jillian Hartmann has the latest on the search.

SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas - Authorities have confirmed they have located a father who is believed to have drowned after attempting to save his teenage son and his son's friend, according to law enforcement.

Triple drowning in Trinity River

What we know:

On Sunday, the San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office and Texas Game Wardens responded to the Trinity River south of Lake Livingston Dam at the Camilla boat ramp after calls about a capsized kayak and three missing people.

Witnesses reported two teenagers, 14 and 15, were riding in a kayak when it overturned from choppy river conditions. The 53-year-old father of one of the teenage boys, William Poff, jumped into the water to try rescue the two teens, but he never resurfaced.

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Polk County Game Wardens recovered the two teenagers, but suspended the search on Sunday evening for the father when he could not be found.

Game wardens continued the search for the 53-year-old on Monday morning. 

William Poff was located by authorities on Wednesday. 

The Texas Game Warden Underwater Search and Recovery Team, Texas State Park Police, San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and local first responders assisting with the ongoing search.

Family identifies father and son

What they're saying:

Julia Poff, told FOX 26 she is devastated by the loss of her 14-year-old son, Jake Poff.

"I was notified by a game warden on the phone and then a personal visit to my house. My 14-year-old son Jake and his friend were out on a kayak here on the Trinity River and somehow it capsized. They went under and never came back up. My soon-to-be ex-husband jumped in, tried to save his son and his friend, and he went under, and he hasn’t been found yet. So I’ve been out here since 7 a.m. waiting for them to bring the body, so my kids can have closure. We have five kids together, so we’re waiting for Dad to come home so we can lay him to rest," said Julia Poff. "Billie was an auto mechanic. We were married for 28 years, he was a good father to the girls growing up. We had our differences as we got older and drifted apart."

Poff said Jake was a freshman student, and football player at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School, who wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up.

"Jake was one of a kind. Jake was silly. He was a cuddler. He always tried to help out. He was a light in this world, and I’m so going to miss him," said Julia Poff.

She also said the boys were not wearing life vests at the time.

The Poff family created a fundraiser to help with funeral costs.

Sant Jacinto County Sheriff Response

What they're saying:

San Jacinto County Sheriff Sam Houston stated:

"This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts go out to this family and everyone affected. We ask our community to join us in prayer for comfort and strength for the loved ones involved. I want to personally thank all of the first responders, Game Wardens, volunteers, and our partners from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office who have worked tirelessly through the night under very difficult conditions. The San Jacinto County community stands together in times of sorrow, and we will continue to support this family in the days ahead."

What we don't know:

At this time, the identity of the 15-year-old boy who died has not been released.