Families confirm multiple campers, camp director did not survive deadly Hill Country flooding

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Family members have confirmed that multiple young girls attending Camp Mystic, a beloved Hill Country summer camp, did not survive the catastrophic flooding that struck the area over the July 4th weekend. Multiple sources also confirm the camp’s longtime owner and director Dick Eastland died while trying to save a group of campers.

Officials said the nearly 100-year-old camp, located along the Guadalupe River, was hosting roughly 750 children at the time. During a Friday night press conference, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said 23 girls from the camp were unaccounted for and that search and rescue teams planned to continue working through the night.

The family of camper Lila Bonner confirmed to KXAN on Saturday that she was among those killed in the flooding. In a statement, her family said, “We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss.”

“The Eastlands are the most wonderful family in the world and Dick was trying to save five little girls,” former Mystic camper and the grandmother of one of the children rescued, Peggy Newman, said.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday that first responders have rescued more than 850 people in the last 36 hours. State and local officials have not released the names of those believed to be dead. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Saturday night that 43 people have died, including 15 children. Leitha said of those confirmed dead, 12 adults and five children have not been identified.

“The rescue has gone as good as can be expected. Now it’s time for the recovery,” said Kerr County Judge Roy Kelly. Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd said Saturday that crews are still searching for possible survivors along the length of the Guadalupe River — in the water, on the ground and from the air.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, posted on X, “So many lives lost. Others unaccounted for […] We are offering condolences, praying with the grieving, and giving thanks for the rescued.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.