04/15/2026
What was supposed to be a 7-day excursion of survival and soaking up nature while cruising the Brazos River on a kayak quickly came to a screeching halt when Sunday’s storms rolled in.
At approximately 19:31, Austin County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a call from a concerned reporting party who had been contacted by a friend stranded along the Brazos River. The individual was cold, trying to warm up, and there was concern that the water level may be rising.
The San Felipe Police Department and Austin County Sheriff’s Office immediately began checking the area. Within 20 minutes, the San Felipe Frydek Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to assist.
Fire Chief Steven Silver established command, and four crews were deployed to different areas along the Brazos River, including the Lazy River area, the I-10 River Bridge, the FM 1458 River Bridge, and down into the Town of San Felipe corporation limits. Multiple agencies responded, including Austin County EMS.
With the sun set and darkness covering the riverbanks, volunteers began searching on foot. The Austin County Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone in several areas, and a helicopter was also launched to assist in locating the stranded individual.
Anyone local to the area knows how unpredictable the river can be. The much-needed rain had already made several roads inaccessible, and multiple units became stuck on dark, unpaved roads. Cat Spring VFD was requested to assist with their track vehicle, although by the time they arrived, San Felipe Frydek VFD crews had already winched vehicles out one by one.
During the search, one of the fire department crews working in the corporation area attempted to make their way down to the river, only to find trees down and access blocked. Part of the crew began clearing the road while others continued on foot toward the riverbank.
At 21:55, San Felipe Frydek VFD and Texas DPS finally made visual contact with the subject. Mutual aid was requested from Waller County’s airboat team, who made contact with the patient at 22:41. By 22:49, the patient was released to firefighters on the river, who transported both the patient and his belongings to the EMS crew waiting at the roadway for evaluation.
After being assessed, the patient was transported to the fire station, where he waited for a ride home.
The San Felipe Frydek Volunteer Fire Department is thankful for the teamwork and cooperation from everyone involved and grateful that all responders went home and returned to work safely at the end of the call.
Thank you to Austin County Sheriff’s Office, Austin County EMS, Cat Spring VFD, Texas Department of Public Safety, San Felipe Police Department, Waller County, and of course our own team at San Felipe Frydek Volunteer Fire Department.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
