WALLER CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE: MAN DIES AFTER FALLING INTO RIVER WHILE CLEARING DEBRIS FROM BRIDGE

  

The Waller County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man who was swept into the Brazos River while clearing logs and debris from around a bridge.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies responded around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a possible drowning in the Brazos River at the FM 529 bridge. 

Upon arrival, deputies were told by witnesses that three men were working on a crew clearing out debris and logs from around the bridge supports.  The witnesses said the three were crossing the river on a sandbar using a safety rope when a strong current knocked them all into the water.

Two of the crew members came up out of the water, but the third did not.  Attempts to find him, which included a search from a DPS helicopter, were initially unsuccessful.

Members of the Pattison Volunteer Fire Department put a boat in the water and searched the area around the bridge supports.  Along with a local land owner and his boat, they found the man and pulled him from the water.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is still under investigation.