Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland died while trying to rescue young campers as floodwaters swept through the Texas summer camp.
Dick Eastland, co-owner and longtime director of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, died while attempting to save young campers during the catastrophic floods that swept through Central Texas.
Eastland, who purchased the Christian girls’ camp in 1974, reportedly rushed to protect the children as a wall of water engulfed the grounds along the Guadalupe River. Texas Public Radio cited a now-deleted Facebook post from his nephew confirming his death.
Rep. August Pfluger, whose daughters were at the camp and safely evacuated, said, “Camp Mystic’s Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers.”
Former campers and staff remembered Eastland as a “selfless” father figure and guiding force. “It doesn’t surprise me that his last act was saving lives,” former camper Paige Sumner wrote.
There were 750 attendees at the camp when the flood hit. As of Sunday, 12 campers remained missing, and the Central Texas death toll had climbed to nearly 70, including 21 children.