During the devastating flash flood at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas, on July 4, 2025, a rookie Coast Guard rescue swimmer and a group of teenage counsellors heroically saved over 165 children and staff. Scott Ruskan, just 26 and on his first mission, was the only trained responder on the ground for three hours. He calmly triaged the injured, organised evacuation efforts, and coordinated helicopter rescues as the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in under half an hour. Alongside him, teen counsellors like 19-year-olds Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate risked their lives to comfort frightened campers, write their names on limbs for identification, and guide them to safety through broken windows and floodwaters. Their bravery was crucial in the early hours before help arrived. Despite their efforts, at least 27 people from the camp died, with more still missing, in what has become one of Texas Hill Country’s deadliest floods in recent history.
Full Article:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/08/teen-counselor-rescuer-texas-flood-camp-mystic