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Three visitors from Florida died during a nighttime feral hog hunt on Wednesday, Aug. 9, after plunging into a cistern that may have been a century old.
The trio perished after attempting to save a dog that had fallen into the open rainwater receptacle on farmland north of the city, according to Sheriff Maurice Cook, who spoke during a Thursday, Aug. 10, news conference.
Rescuers responded to the initial distress call at 1:02 a.m. in the darkened cornfield, but the bodies weren’t recovered for another 18 hours. Delvys Garcia, 37, Denise Martinez, 26, and Noel Vigil-Benitez, 45, were retrieved from the 4-footwide cistern at 7:30 p.m.
The container held stagnant water 8 feet below ground level along with high levels of hydrogen sulfide, an extremely toxic gas, which complicated the excavation process, investigators said. The gas is most likely a result from rotting animal carcasses, said Cook, and nobody could survive breathing it for more than a few minutes.
“If the hydrogen sulfide was not in there, this would probably have a different outcome,” Cook added.
“… a surreal feeling, even after 55 years of law enforcement.”
— Sheriff Maurice Cook The three Floridians were visiting a local friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, for a hog-hunting expedition when one of their dogs jumped out of their truck and fell into the water-supply tank.
One hunter followed its tracking collar and jumped in to rescue the dog, described as a large bloodhound, and was overtaken by the toxic gases. The two others disrobed and attempted to save their companion, investigators said.
It is believed they all lost their ability to float in the poisonous, stagnant water and sank to the bottom.
The recovery effort was hindered by the gas, but with the support of Elgin’s fire and utility departments, first responders eventually were able to retrieve the bodies.
Earlier reports indicated the Austin Fire Department also made the scene, but was later released.
Heavy equipment was brought in, but attempts to dig beside the cavity proved futile, as the walls were unstable and risked making the scene worse, law officers said. A drone was also piloted to examine the interior linings.
Six different dive teams refused to go into the cistern because of safety concerns.
David Newman of the Sheriff’s Office eventually volunteered to be lowered in after the gas and water were removed, securing the victims’ bodies with ropes so they could be lifted up.
“I was there when they were brought out, and that’s a surreal feeling, even after 55 years of law enforcement,” Cook said.
Cisterns are required by law to be covered or secured, and the investigation is continuing, deputies said.
A house once stood on the farmland and investigators are attempting to locate the property owner , but they believe he may be deceased.
“There’s always legal action when something like this happens,” Cook said.
The remains have been transported to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin for autopsies and toxicology reports.
All water within the well was removed safely and disposed of properly.
The sheriff recognizes that hogs can be a menace to farmers in the area, and that it is not difficult to find property where one can hog hunt in Bastrop County. He encourages those that choose to go out to remain safe and alert.
Staff Writer Hunter Dworaczyk contributed to this report.
