Galveston, TX-A quiet afternoon on the water turned heartbreaking Friday when a 67-year-old man drowned while trying to recover a small shore boat that had drifted away near Redfish Island, just off the coast of San Leon.
According to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard responded around 4:30 p.m. to reports of a possible drowning. The victim, identified as Andrew Follett, had been anchored with his wife aboard their sailboat roughly two miles off the point near Pier 6.
Authorities say the couple had deployed their smaller shore boat and tied it off on the island, but it somehow became untethered and began to drift. Mr. Follett entered the water in an attempt to retrieve it.
Despite his efforts, worsening wind and current conditions made it difficult to swim back. His wife reportedly lost sight of him after 30 to 40 minutes and called out for help. A nearby boater responded and was able to locate Mr. Follett floating unresponsive in the water.
CPR was performed as emergency crews met the vessel back at Pier 6, but tragically, Follett was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Marine Division found no signs of foul play, determining the incident to be a tragic accident.
Neighbors and fellow boaters described Andrew as an experienced sailor who loved the water and spent many weekends exploring the bays. “He was always smiling, always ready to lend a hand,” one local marina owner said. “It’s just devastating.”
The Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the Follett family, reminding boaters to use safety gear and avoid entering the water in challenging weather conditions.
“This was a heartbreaking accident,” a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”