A father of five — and one on the way — drowned in Lake Corpus Christi on Saturday while wade fishing with his son, San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera announced.
Larry Wayne Ebner, 32, from Elmendorf, Texas, went underwater around 9:30 a.m. on July 23. His 13-year-old son could not save him.
Divers using sonar located and recovered Ebner’s body seven hours later, at 4:30 p.m.
Family members were at a loss for words to convey their heartbrokenness after the incident. They asked for prayers for his family, his kids, and everyone that loved him.
While it is unclear precisely what caused the father to drown, his friend Gilbert Trinidad stated Ebner passed away “after saving his son from drowning.”
Game Warden, Lerrin Johnson, told KIII, “With the lake levels dropping, we are seeing more debris, stuff we don’t normally see, being exposed: rebar, concrete pilings, old road parts. People really need to be cautious while in the water, whether it’s wading in or on a boat.”
An autopsy has been ordered, officials stated. According to KIII, the family wants to stress the importance of wearing life jackets and using water safety.
The family is planning on setting up a benefit plate sale and, with the help of friends, has created a GoFundMe page to help cover Ebner’s funeral costs and provide his widow and surviving children “a reliable vehicle and a residence.”