Galveston Police Officers Nearly Drown During Swift-Water Training at Schlitterbahn

Swift-Water Training Incident

• ⚠️ Two Galveston police officers were hospitalized after a swift-water rescue training exercise turned into a real emergency.
• 📍 The incident occurred at Galveston's Schlitterbahn Waterpark during a training session.

The Accident Details

• 🌊 The officers, part of the Galveston PD's marine and dive team, were training in fast-moving waters within the park's surf simulator.
• 💥 One officer lost footing, causing a chain reaction that led to multiple team members losing their footing.
• ⏱️ Two officers went underwater and remained submerged for approximately a minute and a half, inhaling water.

Rescue and Recovery

• 🕸️ A net at the bottom of the surf simulator reportedly caught the officers.
• 🚑 One officer was transported by police car to UTMB, while paramedics revived the other before taking him to the hospital.
• ✅ One officer was treated and released; the other is in good condition and under observation.

Training Context

• 🌧️ The training is conducted by the Houston Fire Department's Marine Group with local law enforcement.
• 🏝️ Schlitterbahn is closed for these hurricane season preparedness trainings.