THE director of Camp Mystic desperately tried to save young girls in a heartbreaking final act before the vacation spot was swamped by flooding.
At least 27 campers and staffers were killed in the deluge that has been branded “nothing short of horrific” by Texas governor Greg Abbott.
Dick Eastland was killed trying to save campers at Camp Mystic[/caption]
Eastland has been hailed for his heroism[/caption]
The death toll stands at 82 and dozens still remain missing.
Dick Eastland and his wife, Tweety, were the third-generation of their family to manage the camp, having bought it in 1974.
He was trying to rescue young campers when the flooding hit the camp, located around 80 miles northwest of San Antonio.
The Christian summer camp was overwhelmed after the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes.
Eastland’s grandson, George, revealed his grandpa had died when the water crashed through the walls of the cabins.
“If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way—saving the girls that he so loved and cared for,” he wrote on Instagram.
“That’s the kind of man my grandfather was. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and a mentor to thousands of young women.
“Although he no longer walks this earth, his impact will never fade in the lives he touched.”
Eastland, who had previously fought brain cancer, was found dead near his car, as reported by the San Antonio Express News.
His body was discovered near some of the others killed in the flooding.
Tweety, meanwhile, was found safe at the family home.
Tributes have emerged after it was confirmed that Eastland had been killed.
Paige Sumner, a family friend, has led the tributes to the camp director.
In an op-ed to the Kerrville Daily Times, she said the girls at the camp looked up to Eastland as if he was a “father figure.”
Dick Eastland’s grandson’s tribute
DICK Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic, was killed in the floods while trying to save young girls. His grandson, George, penned a tribute on social media.
“If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for.
“That’s the man my grandfather was. 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.
“Daddy Dicky, you were not just my grandpa, but my dear friend, fishing buddy, hunting guide, golf partner, avid Texas Longhorns fanatic, my #1 fan, and above all else: a hero. I remember looking out the window on my way to my first career playoff game as Kerrville gathered to send us off.
“My entire family was busy and I didn’t expect anyone to show, but he was there with a big poster hoisted above his head, and an even bigger smile.
“I’m proud that I made you a grandfather Daddy Dicky, but blessed that you made me the man I am today.
“Although I am devastated, I can’t say I’m surprised that you sacrificed your life with the hopes of someone else’s being saved.
“Life cannot possibly be the same without you, but the Eastland family will continue to remain faithful during these times.
“We love you Daddy Dicky.”
Source: Instagram
“Dick and Tweety were also role models in their loving relationship,” she penned.
“When we looked at them, they were still that much in love.”
She revealed that the couple were kind and welcoming when meeting them for the first time.
Sumner also highlighted how Eastland was a selfless character, who would put the needs of others first.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,” she wrote.
Ann Conner Yarbrough Armitage also wrote how it wasn’t a surprise Eastland would try to save the lives of the children.
“ He was so approachable, he always remembered my name, he was positive, kind and he loved his family,” she wrote on Facebook.
“This is an unspeakable loss.”
Texas lawmaker August Pfluger also paid a glowing tribute to Eastland for his bravery.
“Camp Mystic’s Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers,” he wrote on X.
“Thank you Mr. Eastland. We love you and miss you.”
Camp Mystic officials have confirmed that 27 campers and counselors have died.
Around 750 kids were at the camp when the floods hit, according to cops in Kerr County.
FATALITIES IDENTIFIED
Janie Hunt, who is related to Clark Hunt, the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, is among those who have been killed.
Eloise Peck, eight, and nine-year-old Lila Bonner have also been identified as among the victims.
Sisters Blair and Brooke Harber were holding tightly onto each other when their bodies were found – 15 miles downriver, according to their school St. Rita Catholic Community.
Brooke was described as an accomplished basketball and soccer player, while Blair was an avid member of the yearbook team.
Blair was looking forward to starring in the 8th grade play, according to the school.
The sisters sent their parents a final text saying: “I love you,” before they drowned.
Blair and Brooke’s parents were staying in another cabin near Hunt.
High school coach Reece Zunker and his wife, Paula, also died in the floods, while dad-of-two Julian Ryan was killed trying to save his family.
Meanwhile, survivors have recalled the chaos that unfolded as the cabins were being flooded.
Campers were washed away within minutes, Amanda Sue Jones told CNN.
“It was just immeasurably fast,” she added.
Piers and Ruffin Boyett swam out of their cabins when it was flooding.
“The cabins were flooding and the walls, they broke down,” Piers told the ABC affiliate KSAT-TV.
DEBRIS IN THE RIVER
Volunteers taking part in the rescue mission have told how debris is slowing down the efforts.
One person coined the operation “nonstop turning and burning,” per CNN.
Nick Sortor, who is part of Louisiana’s United Cajun Navy, revealed pathways had to be created for rescue boats to access.
Sortor said the river was filled with obstacles – some of which had to be chainsawed.
Search teams have had to navigate snakes and debris as they comb the river.
Meanwhile, Scott Ruskan, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, has been credited with saving 165 people, as reported by Good Morning America.
He helped usher between 10 and 15 children at a time to helicopters, so they could be taken to safety.
Kids were escorted onto Black Hawk UH-60 and MH-65 Dolphin aircraft to higher ground.
Ruskan explained how he was trying to keep the children calm during the high-stakes rescue mission.
He revealed that many of the survivors were without shoes and in their pajamas when they were evacuated, per The New York Post.
Kristi Noem, the Director of Homeland Security, described Ruskan, who joined the Coast Guard in 2021, as an “American hero,” saying he showed “selfless courage.”
Officials at the National Weather Service have come under scrutiny and they have defended their flood warnings and forecasts.
The area that was impacted in Texas Hill Country is known as flash flood alley.
Flood risks in areas of central Texas have been upgraded.
Officials have warned that regions could be vulnerable to flash floods.
Towels and other clothes seen hanging on a clothes line[/caption]
Search and rescue workers seen wading through the waters[/caption]
Remnants of a Camp Mystic mailbox that was swept away[/caption]
A damaged home near the camp[/caption]
