Tragic Accidents Claim Lives in Texas Cistern and Well

Three adults and a dog from Florida died after falling into a cistern in a cornfield in Bastrop County, Texas. Law enforcement believes that toxic gases in the cistern caused their deaths. The victims were part of a group hunting hogs when a dog fell into the hole, prompting one of the hunters to jump in after it. Two other hunters followed, but they were unable to stay afloat due to the hydrogen sulfide gas in the cistern. Recovery efforts were hampered by the gas and stagnant water, but the victims were eventually extracted. The cistern did not have a cover, which is required by law for openings of a certain size.