CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A 32-year-old man drowned in Lake Corpus Christi, Saturday morning, San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera said.
The man has been identified as Larry Wayne Ebner.
Ebner was visiting from Elmendorf, Texas and went wade fishing with his son, Saturday morning. His family told 3NEWS that when he began to succumb to the water, his 13-year-old son tried to save him, but ended up struggling too.
Ebner was able to save his son, but was unable to remove himself from the substance under the water that was holding him in place.
After Ebner went down, Lake Corpus Christi State Park Police, San Patricio County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens were all called to the scene.
Game wardens were able to locate his body using sonar, Rivera said, and divers went into the water to recover his body at about 4:30 p.m.
Precinct 8 Justice of the Peace Elvia Hernandez has put in an order for an autopsy.
Ebner leaves behind children who adore him, his family saying "he was the best father ever."
After experiencing this tragedy, they wanted to send a message to everyone about the importance of water safety and wearing a life jacket to keep loved ones safe.
Ebner's family is in the process of setting up a Go-Fund-Me or a benefit plate sale. That information will be passed on to the community once it is made available.
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