In Bastrop County, Texas, a rescue attempt took a tragic turn when three hunters died trying to save a dog from an underground cistern.
The group had assembled for hog hunting when their dog, wandering into a cornfield, fell into the cistern.
The rescue mission involved Delvys Garcia, 37, Denise Martinez, 26, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, 45.
Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook shared details of the event. After an early morning call, the sheriff’s team found the hunters inside the cistern. Preliminary findings suggest one person entered first, with the others following to help.
The extraction was hindered by toxic hydrogen gas emissions and concerns about the cistern’s stability. After ventilating the area and deploying a drone for a safety check, the team managed to recover the bodies and the dog by evening.
The cistern is located on a private property, the owner of which has not been disclosed. Autopsies will provide clarity on the exact causes of the fatalities.