An urgent message not to cross the dangerous currents on Brays Bayou, which quickly rose during the Memorial Day storms, may not have reached Houston firefighters whose boat capsized, killing three civilians, according to a city report.
The report, released on Monday by the Houston Fire Department, details the rescue attempt, one of many made on May 26 that occurred in the immediate aftermath of an unusual stationary storm system that stranded thousands of Houstonians in their homes and vehicles. The report is available online.
The report explored an incident that involved Rescue Boat 42A, which capsized and resulted in the death of three civilians who were thrown into the water during the rescue attempt. The report found that firefighters aboard that boat placed themselves in jeopardy attempt to save lives. Both firefighters and another civilian aboard were later rescued - in part because of their own efforts.
Before the incident, a senior HFD captain and other swift water trained firefighters determined that the water current and debris flowing in Brays Bayou made it "extremely hazardous to cross," according to the report. "Several attempts were made to notify all rescue boats on scene and advise that the bayou should not be crossed," the report states.
About the same time, 42A was dispatched to a rescue call at 5410 N. Braeswood, which required the boat cross the bayou from south to north.