So much for the MAGAt spin some of y'all have been trying to put on this story. Here's what really happened.
"Since I live on Lake Travis where the recent Texas boat parade fiasco happened, several people have asked me for my take on the situation, so here you go:
Most importantly there were no deaths. There is at least one person still in the hospital, he is still in the ICU with a broken back.
I heard of 13 vessels that were swamped or sunk, law enforcement has not released an official number yet.
Before the parade started, Lake Travis was CALM with no waves larger than ½ foot, the maximum wind gusts were less than 10kts.
When the parade started multiple boats cranked up their motors to show off and began creating excessive wakes. Vessels were driving at unsafe speeds in close proximity. This is what created the dangerous conditions that swamped/sunk vessels. Even after vessels started sinking, there was no cooperation with law enforcement and emergency personnel to slow down and/or reduce the wakes. First responders had to deal with rescuing people out of the water from sinking boats WHILE OTHER BOATS passed at close distances at speeds that created more wakes and even more dangerous conditions.
The majority of vessels involved showed ZERO CONCERN for the well being of others, or the damage that they were causing with their wakes. All of this could have been averted had they driven their vessels at slower speeds and at safer distances.
So far, I understand that all of the damaged vessels were involved in the parade.
We are still awaiting the official report from the Travis County Sheriff's office that has jurisdiction over Lake Travis.
PS I was at the dock during all of this, I generally do not leave the dock on holiday weekends, too many amateurs and drunks on the water for Labor Day, the 4th of July, and Memorial Day weekends."