Published: May 20, 2008 08:30 am         

Travis student drowns in private lake

Divers recovered 13-year-old’s body Sunday evening

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

Divers recovered the body of a 13-year-old boy Sunday evening after he reportedly went swimming with other juveniles in a private lake.

According to police officials, a female called 911 from a cell phone at 6:36 p.m., reporting a drowning in the 1100 block of East Hubbard Street. Mineral Wells Fire personnel and emergency medical services responded to the southwest corner of a body of water known as Pinto Lake. It is located north of West City Park on private property.

Officials reported Brandon Michael Wilson, 13, of Mineral Wells, was swimming with eight other friends in the private lake. The group allegedly went from the skate park in West City Park to the lake. According to authorities, “they were aware it was private property.”

Several individuals reported that there were a number of fences that required crossing to reach the lake, including one that is about 6 feet tall. A reporter visited the property and observed several signs posted concerning no trespassing, no hunting and “Keep Out.”

According to police, Brandon was jumping off an overflow outlet into the water and “the last time he jumped, he went down and never came back up.”

The family reportedly told police that Brandon couldn’t swim.

Two fire department divers were sent into the water and recovered Brandon’s body at 7:43 p.m. near the overflow in 10 feet of water, a fire official reported. Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Bobby Hart pronounced him dead at the scene; Brandon’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Dallas. He was sent to the medical examiner to determine the cause of death, a step that they do with “any accident like that,” Hart explained.

Hart notified the Index Tuesday morning that a preliminary autopsy finding ruled the boy's death as drowning.

Described as a very athletic student, the Travis Elementary sixth grader had been on the A/B honor roll and played percussion in the sixth grade band.

According to Mineral Wells ISD public information director Mary Creighton, counselors were sent to the schools to visit with the students about Brandon’s death.At Travis Elementary, principal Bruce Butler confirmed they had 10 district personnel and counselors at their campus Monday for the students and 10 representatives from various churches in the community available.

“The district wants to express our deepest condolences to the family of our student,” said Creighton.

Less than 24 hours after the tragedy, friends and acquaintances of the family worked quickly to set up a benefit account for Brandon Wilson at First Financial Bank for donations to help with the necessary expenses.