AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The medical officer for the Texas summer camp where 27 girls tragically lost their lives in a flood last year testified on Tuesday that she has not yet reported the deaths to the Texas health authorities overseeing camp operations, as they review the application for the camp to reopen this summer.
Mary Liz Eastland, representing the family-owned Camp Mystic, faced questioning in a legal dispute with the families of those affected by the disaster, who are seeking to ensure that evidence of the flood is preserved. This hearing has provided extensive insights into the events of the July 4 flood on the Guadalupe River, highlighting the delays in evacuation that left many in peril.
While the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors are undisputed, Texas law mandates that camp officials report such incidents to state regulators within 24 hours. “I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood,” Eastland stated, adding that she failed to consider this obligation leading up to the camp's application to reopen on March 31.
Eastland expressed uncertainty about when she first learned of the fatalities. When asked if she should now formally report the deaths with the pending application, she responded, “I guess so.”
The implications of failing to report these deaths on the camp's license application remain unclear. The camp's application contains lists of officers and safety plans, the latter of which is not publicly accessible.
As part of the review process, state regulators plan to inspect the camp and are reviewing numerous complaints. Additionally, Texas lawmakers are conducting a separate investigation into the flood.
Mary Liz Eastland's testimony followed that of her husband, Edward Eastland, who recounted his desperate attempts to save children as the floodwaters surged violently through the camp. He emotionally described grabbing two girls, only to be swept away himself.
“A genuine hero testified today,” said Mikal Watts, representing the Eastland family. “He told a gripping story of saving lives in an unprecedented tsunami.”
Mary Liz Eastland also shared her recollections of the night of the flood, noting the chaos as they sought safety. She recalled seeing girls trapped in trees when day broke and emphasized the urgency of their head count efforts.
Under intense scrutiny from victim attorneys, Eastland acknowledged the camp's shortcomings during the emergency, particularly regarding the lack of timely evacuations and alerts to medical staff. “You knew the property. You knew the flood lines... Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didn’t you?” one attorney fired back, to which Eastland responded, “Yes.”
