Travis County Officials ID Man Missing In Lake Travis

AUSTIN, TX — The Travis County Sheriff's Office on Friday identified a swimmer who went missing on Lake Travis after falling into the water and never resurfaced.

Manuel Salas, 53, of Elgin, Texas, has not been found since a family member called 911 last Saturday, May 5, that he had gone underwater near the boat he had been in without resurfacing. A number of emergency services responded to the scene at the time and have continued what is now a recovery mission. However, on Friday, the sheriff's office said they are ending sonar and dive searches.

Up to now, search crews had been using sonar and cameras on remotely operated underwater vehicles as part of the search. A helicopter had also been utilized to perform aerial searches. In a press advisory, the sheriff's office explained the search area is now ten times larger than before, and the depths at Lake Travis reach down up to 150 feet.

"Lake Patrol Deputies will continue to respond to calls on Lake Travis and while on duty, will also conduct surface and shoreline searches," officials said. "TCSO is grateful to all the local agencies who assisted in the search, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Salas as they face this difficult time."

Elgin is a city located a little over 25 miles east of Austin. The city of around 10,000 people straddles Travis and Bastrop counties.

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