Tragedy Impacts East Texas as Two Young Individuals Lose Their Lives and a Father Is Unaccounted For in Kayaking Incident, Victim Recognized

 A distressing river rescue effort in East Texas has resulted in the deaths of two teenagers and the ongoing search for a missing father, causing grief in the local area and leaving two families sorrowful. This unfortunate event took place on the evening of November 9, along the Trinity River in Polk County, during what was intended to be a pleasant kayaking experience.

Authorities have identified the individuals involved in the unfortunate kayaking mishap that happened on Sunday near the Lake Livingston Dam on the Trinity River, leading to the deaths of three individuals. Family members have confirmed that William Harvey Poff, aged 53, and his 15-year-old son, Jake William Poff, were among the deceased when their kayak capsized amid the swift river current. Additionally, Eric Robert Lynn, a close friend of the family, also lost his life in this tragedy.

The incident transpired on Sunday afternoon close to the Browder’s boat ramp, where rough conditions caused the kayak to tip over. Investigators indicated that William Poff entered the water to attempt to save his son and Lynn, but none of the three were able to rise to the surface. Later that evening, search teams retrieved the bodies of both teenagers, while the search for William Poff persisted until Tuesday, as authorities endeavored to locate all lost individuals.

In the aftermath, family members have set up online fundraising campaigns to help with burial costs and to support the bereaved families during this challenging period:

Relatives express that the grief from this loss is “beyond comprehension” and are seeking ongoing prayers and support as they deal with their sorrow.

As the community grieves, officials are once again reminding the public to take care while on the Trinity River, particularly in regions below the Lake Livingston Dam, where unexpected currents and hidden dangers create treacherous conditions, even for those skilled in boating. This event has underscored the perils associated with rapid waters and serves as a caution about the river's unpredictable nature.