Courtesy Photo/Gun Barrel FD
Gun Barrel City Fire Department’s Rescue 1 boat moves across the cold water of Cedar Creek Lake Jan. 10 in search of two duck hunters whose boat was reported by dispatchers as sinking. After an initial search north of the State Highway 334 bridges, two men were pulled from the reservoir by the Gun Barrel City firefighters on board, then taken to the hospital.

GUN BARREL CITY–Two duck hunters whose boat had sunk into the chilly winter waters of Cedar Creek Lake were rescued from the reservoirJan. 10 by the Gun Barrel City Fire Department (GBCFD), which used its rescue boat to bring the hunters back to shore at Tom Finley Park, where they were handed off for medical evaluation.
GBCFD said in a press release that it received a request from dispatchers at Henderson County Sheriff’s Office that morning about the hunters’ boat sinking. Seven Points Fire Department was first on scene, according to GBCFD, and conducted an initial search of the lake and shoreline in the Oak Hill Drive area, which is near the northwestern shores of the lake. However, no boat or victims were visible, Gun Barrel City’s fire department said.
Gun Barrel City Fire Department launched Rescue Boat 1, and a Tool Fire Rescue boat also responded, according to GBCFD. Crews initiated a coordinated and thorough search of the lake north of the State Highway 334 bridges between Gun Barrel City and Seven Points, GBCFD continued.
Gun Barrel City Rescue Boat 1 located the two hunters in the water approximately 500 yards from Oak Hill Drive, GBCFD said. At the time of the rescue, lake conditions included high winds and waves significantly reducing visibility and complicating rescue efforts, according to GBCFD.
The two adult male hunters were successfully rescued from the water, GBCFD shared, and Rescue Boat 1 returned to the command post at Tom Finley Park, where UT Health EMS and additional first responders were standing by. The hunters had been in approximately 56-degree water for an estimated 90 minutes and were transported to UT Health East Texas–Cedar Creek hospital in Gun Barrel City for further evaluation, GBCFD stated. No injuries were reported among first responders, GBCFD added.
Gun Barrel City Assistant Fire Chief Jason Raney stated, “I am very proud of how all of the agencies worked together today to rescue the duck hunters and safely return them to their families. The conditions on the lake—with high winds and rough water—made this a very dangerous rescue for the personnel aboard Rescue Boat 1.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Texas Game Wardens, who were on scene during the rescue, GBCFD reported. The Gun Barrel City Police Department also assisted with the water rescue operation, GBCFD added.