55-year-old San Antonio man drowns in Lake LBJ

FROM STAFF REPORTS

HORSESHOE BAY – A San Antonio man, who witnesses believe could not swim, drowned Aug. 25 in a popular sand bar area just off Lighthouse Drive on Lake LBJ, authorities said.

Horseshoe Bay police officers responded to the scene just before 5 p.m. in an area 200 yards from the northwest end of the Lighthouse peninsula.

Manuel Santiago, 55, jumped into the lake as another vessel towed the boat he was in closer to an area where a group of revelers were anchored, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the investigating agency.

“He apparently thought he was in shallow water as they were approaching, jumped out of the boat, and the water was over his head,” said Capt. Kevin Davis. “He never resurfaced.”

Horseshoe Bay police officers and game wardens used sonar equipment to locate the victim.

Volunteer rescue divers from Buchanan Dam and Kingsland fire departments recovered the body about two hours later in eight to 10-feet of water.

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Linda Ballard pronounced Santiago dead at the scene.

editor@thepicayune.com