Texas Dad Swept Away While Holding His Children Tight, Eyewitness Says
|As floodwaters rose with unimaginable force, one Texas father’s final act was one of pure love — holding his children close until the very end.
The death toll from the catastrophic Texas floods has now surpassed 100, with entire communities mourning lives lost and dozens still missing. Among the most heartbreaking stories to emerge is that of a father in Kerr County, who was swept away while desperately clinging to his children during the raging waters.
A Heroic Final Stand Amid a Deadly Natural Disaster
According to eyewitness Lorena Guillen, owner of the Blue Oak RV Park in Liberty, Texas, the father — identified as John Burges — was seen clutching his babies tightly while holding onto a tree. Despite the overwhelming currents and urgent pleas for help, he refused to let go of his children.
“My husband was in the water trying to ask them, ‘Please throw me your baby!’” Guillen told the New York Post.
“The man was holding tight to his babies, and he just got swept away.”
She added, “Help me!’ — that was the main thing. You heard a lot of screaming. It was just too much.”
Her camp was completely destroyed, but it’s not the buildings she mourns — it’s the lives.
Tragedy Strikes Camp Mystic: 27 Dead, 11 Still Missing
Just miles away, the tragedy deepened at Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer retreat in Kerr County, one of the hardest-hit areas in the floods. In a matter of minutes, the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, swallowing the beloved camp.
Twenty-seven children and counselors lost their lives, and 11 more remain missing.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” Camp Mystic wrote in a statement. “We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for each of our families affected.”
A Director’s Final Act of Courage
Among the victims was Camp Director Dick Eastland, who died while trying to guide the children to safety.
His grandson, George Eastland, paid tribute on Instagram:
“If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way — saving the girls he so loved and cared for.”
“A husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to thousands of young women — he no longer walks this earth, but his impact will never leave the lives he touched.”
Search and Rescue Efforts Continue
Rescue operations remain ongoing across southern Texas, where emergency crews are still battling dangerous conditions to locate those missing. Dozens of families are clinging to hope, while others begin to process unimaginable loss.
As floodwaters slowly recede, stories of bravery, sacrifice, and love emerge — painting a picture of human resilience amid one of the worst natural disasters in recent Texas history.
A Father’s Love That Echoes Beyond the Storm
The heartbreaking image of a father refusing to let go of his children — even in the face of death — is a haunting yet powerful reminder of love’s enduring strength. His final act was not one of fear, but of protection, devotion, and courage.
As Texas grieves, his story, like so many others, will never be forgotten.