A tragic incident unfolded in Bastrop County, Texas, where three hunters lost their lives attempting to save a dog from an underground cistern.
The hunters had gathered for a hog hunting trip when their dog ventured into a cornfield and fell into the cistern.
The rescue efforts involved Delvys Garcia, 37, Denise Martinez, 26, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, 45, all from Florida. Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook briefed the media about the incident. Upon receiving an early morning alert from the hunters’ friend, who was in the car, the sheriff’s department found the three individuals trapped inside the cistern. It appears one of them initially tried to retrieve the dog, with the others joining one after the other to assist.
The recovery process was complicated by the emission of hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas and potential structural issues with the cistern. After ensuring the area was safe and utilizing a drone for assessment, the rescue team retrieved the victims and the dog by the day’s end.
The incident took place on private property, which houses the cistern. The property’s ownership remains undisclosed. The definitive causes of the deaths will be ascertained after autopsies.
