Search for missing man at Benbrook Lake slowed by high winds, rough water, officials say

Texas Game Wardens are searching Benbrook Lake for a missing man in a possible drowning, but high winds and choppy water slowed rescue efforts Saturday and Sunday, an official said.

The call about the potential drowning came in around 1 p.m. on Saturday

Witnesses told officials that two men jumped from a vessel to help a child. One went underwater and did not resurface.

Crews searched the northeast portion of Benbrook Lake near Longhorn Park Drive throughout the afternoon and evening but did not locate the man, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The search resumed at 8 a.m. Sunday, with the Texas Game Warden Underwater Search and Recovery Team joining local responders. Texas Game Wardens in Tarrant County, members of the Underwater Search and Recovery Team (dive team) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers searched Benbrook Lake all day for the missing man. The day's windy conditions and trees on the lake bottom presented challenges that made searching slow. 

Search efforts will resume around 8 a.m. on Monday.  

Authorities were not immediately releasing identifying information out of respect for the man's family.

State urges safety awareness

The possible fatality at Benbrook Lake is one of several that Texas Game Wardens are working on this weekend across the state.  

As a result, the department is urging the public to review water and boating safety guidance. 

In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that led to 50 deaths and 77 serious injuries. This weekend alone, Texas Parks and Wildlife says six people have drowned in state lakes.

Eighty‑four percent of those who died were not wearing a life jacket, and Texas Game Wardens made 223 Boating While Intoxicated arrests last year.

Basic precautions for boaters

Texas Game Wardens urge boaters to follow basic safety steps before heading out:

• Wear a life jacket – it must be U.S. Coast Guard–approved, and children under 13 must wear one while the boat is moving.
• Stay sober on the water – never operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Use the engine cut‑off switch – if your boat has one, the operator needs to wear the lanyard or keep the fob on their person.
• Travel at a safe speed and keep a lookout for other boats, swimmers, and hazards.
• Complete a boater education course – required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
• Check the weather and be ready for sudden changes.
• Share a float plan with someone you trust.
• Avoid overloading the boat – too much weight can make a vessel unstable.

Rules for paddlers statewide

State rules require anyone in a paddlecraft to have a life jacket that meets U.S. Coast Guard standards, and kids younger than 13 must keep theirs on at all times. 

Paddlers also need to carry a whistle or another device that can make a loud sound, and they must display a white light visible from every direction when they're on the water after dark, during low‑light hours or in poor visibility.

Anonymous tips encouraged

The department is also asking the public to quickly report any unsafe or illegal activity on the water, noting that tips can be submitted anonymously. Rewards of up to $1,000 are available for information that leads to convictions for violations of boating, fishing, or wildlife laws.

People can send a tip by texting TXOGT and their information to 847411, using the Texas OGT app on iOS or Android, or calling the anonymous hotline at 800‑792‑GAME (4263). Tipsters are encouraged to include any details, photos, or videos that could help investigators.

CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.