Man Who Drowned In McKinney Falls State Park Identified

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX - A man drowned near a waterfall in McKinney Falls State Park after jumping into the water to save his dog Sunday.

Police identified the man as Samuel Westerfeld, 26. Westerfeld was reportedly walking on a limestone ledge near a waterfall with friends when the female pitbull fell into the water, the American-Statesman reported.

The area is particularly dangerous because the waterfall pushes the water into a circular flow that can suck someone under.

The man’s friends called 911 after he did not resurface at 12:26 p.m. The Austin Fire Department arrived 10 minutes later but divers could not locate the bodies of the man and dog until shortly before 4 p.m.

The drowning happened near the picnic area, in a part of the park that has been closed to the public since last year’s flood.

Texas Parks and Wildlife maintenance worker Larry Alexander told the American-Statesman that he saw a woman waving for help. She told him the victim resurfaced once for air and then disappeared.

Authorities later said the man resurfaced while holding the dog in his arms, but was pulled under again.

The man’s identity has not been released pending notification of his family.