A man died after diving head-first from a towering embankment into a deceptively shallow section of Gladewater Lake in Texas on Saturday, July 1.
The incident occurred at about 4:20 pm and prompted an immediate response from local authorities.
Gladewater’s Chief of Police, Gordon Freeman, revealed that a 911 call alerted them to an unresponsive person at the lake. First responders arrived at the scene and admitted first aid to the victim.
Eyewitness accounts from about seven people shed light on the events leading to the fatal plunge. The 34-year-old man reportedly leaped from a 40-foot-high embankment, only to find himself diving into a mere four-foot-deep pool of water. This particular section of the lake, located away from the main body of water, attracts swimmers due to its elevated banks, shallow waters, and rocky bottom.
The witnesses, who were present during the incident, promptly rushed to aid the victim. They pulled him out of the water and immediately implemented emergency measures. However, despite the valiant efforts of first responders to resuscitate the man, his injuries proved too severe, resulting in his death.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the police indicated that alcohol may have played a role in the accident, Chief Freeman disclosed.
