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CBS News
05-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
North Texas fire departments head to central Texas to help with search & rescue efforts
The search and rescue teams from several North Texas fire departments are in central Texas, assisting after flash flooding left dozens of people dead. At least 27 fatalities have been reported so far, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said in an email Saturday morning. The dead include 18 adults and 9 children. Six of the adults and one child remain unidentified, Leitha said. Officials have conducted more than 160 air rescues, Leitha said. In total, 850 uninjured and 8 injured people have been rescued as of Saturday, he said. The Fort Worth Fire Department sent two teams to the area, including 15 divers and swift water team members. Dallas Fire Rescue has deployed a "water-squad" team of six people. The Denton Fire Department also sent a team of six people with two boats. The Southern Baptist of Texas Convention and Disaster Relief is also sending volunteers to the area to help out. Search and rescue operations are ongoing There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units helping with search and rescue operations, officials said, which include drones and helicopters. "We brought in over 100 troopers this morning," Col. Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said during Friday night's news briefing. "And they've worked all day, rescues, high water vehicles, boats, rescue divers, seven rescue helicopters with hoist capabilities." The governor signed a disaster declaration for several counties during the news conference Friday night, saying it "ensures all the counties will have access to every tool, strategy, personnel that the state of Texas can provide to them, which will be limitless." "We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane, whatever is needed, is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person and ensure everybody involved in this is going to be fully accounted for," Abbott said. Earlier Friday, Abbott asked that Texas residents "heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas." Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement posted to social media that he had spoken to Mr. Trump, as well as other state officials. "President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs," Cruz said. Lorena Gullen, who owns a restaurant right next to an RV park that was affected by the floods, said "raging water" swept away vehicles, some with people still inside. Residents at the park had been celebrating the Fourth of July.
CBS News
23-06-2025
- CBS News
Dallas firefighter Juan Omar Chaidez remembered as hard worker who loved the job, his mom and making jokes
A procession was held Monday morning in Collin County to honor Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter Juan Omar Chaidez. The CBS News Texas chopper captured the moment Chaidez's body was escorted inside the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office by his crew from Dallas Fire Station 43, standing shoulder to shoulder, giving him one last salute. "A lot of times you don't want being a fireman to define you, and this is one of those times where he was a great fireman, but we're talking about him as a person and as a man, and like I said, as a family member," said Wes Southard, who worked with him at the fire tation. Around 7 a.m. Monday, Officials recovered Chaidez' body near Bratonia Park on Lavon Lake, after two days of search efforts. The Collin County Sheriff's Office said Chaidez was kayaking Saturday at the lake with his dog when he went missing. A witness reported seeing him in the water, and later saw only the dog paddling near the overturned kayak. Some of Chaidez's fire crew members were at the lake as his body was recovered from the water. "We talked to his mom and his dad, and we just let them know that we're there, and we loved him… loved him very much, and that they raised a really good son," Southard said. Chaidez was a firefighter with the Dallas Fire-Rescue for six years. Southard said Chaidez was a hard worker who loved his job, his mom and making jokes. "He was one of those ones that that was always having fun. I don't think Omar was ever having a bad time," said Southard. "I think wherever he went, he made sure that everybody else was happy, made sure that everybody else was cared for, and made sure everybody else knew that someone was thinking of them." Collin County authorities said Chaidez' dog was found safely and is doing well. Multiple crews helped locate Chaidez' body. Currently, Bratonia Park remains closed to the public. Dallas Fire Rescue said it's focusing its resources on helping Chaidez' family and the fire crew process this tragedy. "He'll be missed for a very long time," Southard said.
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Fox News
Firefighter's body recovered from vacation getaway after weekend kayaking accident
Print Close By Adam Sabes Published June 23, 2025 Texas deputies found the body of a firefighter after his kayak overturned on a lake over the weekend. The Collin County Sheriff's Office said the body of Juan Chaidez was found on Monday morning at Lavon Lake in Collin County, Texas, according to Fox 4. Chaidez's kayak overturned on the lake, and he was reported missing on Saturday. Chaidez worked as a firefighter paramedic with Dallas Fire-Rescue for six years. Co-workers described Chaidez as a "great fireman as a person and as a man." BODY OF MISSING FATHER OF FIVE FOUND IN GEORGIA LAKE AFTER KAYAKING TRIP "He had friends everywhere. It sounds cliché to say, but there's nothing bad to say about him. It's all good," Wes Southard said. Chaidez's dog was with him at the time his kayak flipped over, according to witnesses. The dog was recovered by rescuers and is alive. ALABAMA POLICE FIND SUSPECTED REMAINS OF MISSING ONE-YEAR-OLD AT FAMILY PROPERTY The Princeton Police Department in Texas said it would transport Chaidez to the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office in McKinney, Texas. In a statement, the Collin County Sheriff's Office said several agencies assisted in their search for Chaidez. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The Collin County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Mr. Chaidez, a firefighter with the Dallas Fire Department," the sheriff's office said. "We would also like to thank all of the agencies that assisted in this search, including Wylie Fire Rescue, Lucas Fire Department, Princeton Fire Department, Dallas Fire Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and AMR. Their continued partnership and professionalism are deeply appreciated." Print Close URL
CBS News
22-06-2025
- CBS News
Off-duty Dallas firefighter missing while kayaking at North Texas lake, officials say
The search is underway for a Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter who went missing while kayaking on a North Texas lake, the Collin County Sheriff's Office announced. According to the sheriff's office, in the morning of Saturday, June 21, deputies were called to Bratonia Park on Lake Lavon after a report concerning an overturned kayak. A witness told authorities that they saw a kayaker with a dog in the water, and then later saw only the dog paddling near the overturned kayak. The dog was rescued from the water and is safe, officials said. The sheriff's office deployed patrol units, drone operators, and its dive team to begin the search for the missing person. Wylie Fire Rescue's marine unit also responded to the scene with additional resources, including boats. The sheriff's office confirmed the missing kayaker is a Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter, who was off duty at the time he went missing but have yet to release his name. The search was suspended on Saturday and resumed at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday. The sheriff's office said in a news release that it has been challenging "due to winds and submerged trees." "The Collin County Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude to all assisting agencies," the sheriff's office said in a news release. This is a developing story. We'll have updates as more information becomes available.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
6 teenagers hospitalized in crash following Richardson police chase
A stolen car led to a major crash Monday night that left seven people hospitalized, the Richardson Police Department said. Richardson police said officers said an Audi sedan had been reported stolen and the people inside were armed. Officers tried to pull the car over on Spring Valley Road after 8 p.m. Monday, but it sped off. The car then turned onto Esperanza Road in Dallas where it crashed into an SUV and light pole. Police said there were six people inside the Audi ranging in age from 15 to 19. Officers found multiple guns, a Glock switch and marijuana inside. Dallas Fire-Rescue, which responded to the crash, said it took seven patients to various hospitals, those in the Audi and the driver of the SUV. DFR did not specify any of their conditions. Richardson PD said the driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries.
