AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) — Camp Mystic is facing at least four lawsuits in the wake of deadly flash floods that occurred during the Fourth of July weekend, according to legal documents obtained by KXAN and statements from one of the representing attorneys.
Families grieving the loss of nine campers and counselors have initiated legal action, accusing Camp Mystic of “gross negligence and reckless disregard” for safety protocols. They describe the camp’s handling of the flood situation as an “entirely preventable tragedy.”
These lawsuits aim to hold the camp accountable for the 27 fatalities.
“These young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety,” states one of the legal complaints. It accuses Camp Mystic of knowingly placing cabins in flood-prone areas to cut costs by avoiding relocation expenses.
Camp Mystic is located along a high-risk flood zone area along the Guadalupe River, also known as “Flash Flood Alley.”
Lawyers point to emergency instructions given that in the event of flooding, campers and counselors should never wander away from their cabins — and all cabins are on “high, safe locations.”
The following are statements from Camp Mystic and Legal Counsel Jeff Ray.
We continue to pray for the grieving families and ask for God’s healing and comfort.
Camp Mystic
We empathize with the families of the campers and counselors and all families in the Hill Country who lost loved ones in the horrific and unprecedented flood of July 4. We intend to demonstrate and prove that this sudden surge of floodwaters far exceeded any previous flood in the area by several magnitudes, that it was unexpected and that no adequate warning systems existed in the area. We disagree with several accusations and misinformation in the legal filings regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well. We will thoroughly respond to these accusations in due course.
Legal Counsel for Camp Mystic, Jeff Ray
The camp previously defended its decision to partially re-open next summer and says it will work with lawmakers investigating the flooding.
Another suit alleged the camp “failed to adopt legally required evacuations plans, ignored repeated weather warnings, and implemented unsafe policies.” Additionally, it alleged that Camp Mystic “ordered campers to remain in their cabins” as floodwaters rose and that leadership “delayed evacuation to protect equipment rather than lives.”
Randy Howry, the Austin attorney representing the family of 8-year-old Eloise “Lulu” Peck of Dallas, spoke to KXAN Investigates Reporter, Matt Grant, exclusively on Monday. The Peck family filed the lawsuit accusing the camp of failing to build cabins in safe locations, ignoring repeated flood warnings and not having an effective emergency or evacuation plan.
“Every other camp on this river was able to get their kids out of harms way on the night of this flood,” Howry said. “They had notice, and they failed to react in a timely manner and when they did react it was far too late.”
“We carry the memory of our daughter in everything we do,” said Ryan DeWitt, father of Molly DeWitt. “This legal step is one of honoring her, and we believe that trust and justice are essential to finding peace — not only for our family, but for every family affected.”
Attorneys for the other families are Paul Yetter, Justin Tschoepe, Reid Simpson and Shannon Smith of Yetter Coleman, LLP.
Yetter said their clients filed a lawsuit to seek accountability and truth. “Camp Mystic failed at its primary job to keep its campers and counselors safe, and young girls died as a result,” said Yetter. “This action is about transparency, responsibility and ensuring no other family experiences what these parents will now suffer the rest of their lives.”
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