Two drown in Wright Patman Lake when man jumped in to save teen

BOWIE COUNTY, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — The Bowie County Sheriff’s Office says a man and a teen drowned at Wright Patman Lake on Saturday evening.

“We were dispatched out to North Shore Park, but where the drowning occurred was close to Boat Ramp 3,” says Bowie County Sheriff Jeff Neal, “Where they were swimming was not in a designated swimming area.”

Investigators say a 15-year-old attempted to swim from a strip of land to the nearby boat ramp but began struggling. He grabbed onto a tree to help keep himself afloat, and that’s when 34-year-old Victor Lawson attempted to come to his rescue.

“A family friend, Victor Lawson, jumped in to try to come help him, and when he got over, they both ended up going under and drowned,” says Sheriff Neal.

Their bodies were recovered later that evening by the Bowie County Dive Team.

“If you’re going to be swimming, certainly swim in the designated areas. Always have family and friends there with you like he did, but it’s hot, so be sure you’re hydrated, and don’t overdo it and don’t try to swim further than you think you can and outlast your abilities,” says Sheriff Neal.