A Texas father died a hero while trying to save his family from the devastating flash floods that have killed at least 51 people across Texas.
Julian Ryan, 27, was inside his family’s trailer home in Ingram with his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, his mother, and their two children - their son, six, and their baby daughter, 13 months - when surging waters from the Guadalupe River woke them around 4AM on Friday (July 4).
“It just started pouring in, and we had to fight the door to get it closed to make sure not too much got in,” Wilson told KHOU, describing how they placed their two babies on a floating mattress as water filled the bedroom.
When the door burst open and the flood surged inside, Ryan punched through a window to help his family escape, severing an artery and nearly cutting his arm “clean off,” according to family members.
Trapped in the rising water, Ryan told his family: “I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,” as he bled out while ensuring his family’s escape.
The waters eventually tore the trailer in half, allowing Wilson and the children to run to safety without their husband and father, whose body was recovered hours later after the waters subsided.
“He was the best father, and was always such a happy person who was never above helping people, no matter what it cost,” Wilson said.
A GoFundMe has been launched for the family, and as of the time of writing, $30,044 has been raised.
“Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero. While his family is eternally grateful for his sacrifice, they are shattered by their loss," the description read.
"This unimaginable tragic loss has left his mother, fiancé, brothers, and sister facing not only immense emotional pain but also significant unforeseen financial burden. We are hoping to help alleviate the unforeseen financial burdens that come with such a sudden tragedy," they added.
The catastrophic flooding has claimed at least 51 lives statewide, including many children.
The disaster struck as a flood alert went out in the early morning, while many residents slept, with the Guadalupe River rising 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
Among the hardest-hit sites was Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Kerr County, where five young girls were confirmed dead: Renee Smajstrla, eight; Sarah Marsh, eight; Janie Hunt, nine; Lila Bonner, nine; and Eloise Peck, eight. Several others remain missing.
Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland and Jane Ragsdale, director of nearby Heart O' The Hills Camp, also died trying to protect campers as the floodwaters surged.
The family of Renee Smajstrla shared a statement about their loss, which read, “Thank you to all our friends and family for all the prayers and outreach. Renee has been found, and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly.”
Sarah Marsh’s grandmother, Debbie Ford Marsh, also spoke out: “Our sweet Sarah is gone! We will always feel blessed to have had this beautiful spunky ray of light in our lives. She will live on in our hearts forever."
“Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals,” her mother, Missy Peck, shared with Fox 4.
Governor Greg Abbott expanded the flooding disaster declaration to 21 counties as the Texas National Guard, Coast Guard, and federal agencies conduct helicopter search missions across the region.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.