‘I'm not going to make it'—Texas hero dad's final words after saving kids from killer floodwaters
Julian Ryan, 27, bled to death after severing an artery in his arm during the desperate rescue attempt, family members said.
Ryan, his fiancée Christinia Wilson, their 6-year-old and 13-month-old children, and Ryan's mother were asleep when surging floodwaters from the Guadalupe River inundated their home around 4 a.m.
'It just started pouring in, and we had to fight the door to get it closed to make sure not too much got in,' Wilson told KHOU.
As water kept rising, Wilson placed their two children on a floating mattress. But when the bedroom door burst open, the family had no time to spare.
In a bid to create an escape route, Ryan punched through a bedroom window — shattering the glass and nearly severing his arm 'clean off,' according to family members who spoke to KHOU.
Tragically, despite Wilson's repeated 911 calls, no help reached them in time.
'I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all,' Ryan told his family as he bled out, Wilson recounted.
The flash floodwaters eventually ripped the trailer in half, creating a gap for the rest of the family to flee to safety without Ryan.
'He was the best father, and was always such a happy person who was never above helping people, no matter what it cost,' Wilson said.
Ryan's body was recovered hours later on Friday after the water receded in Kerr County, The New York Times reported.
A GoFundMe page launched to support the family has raised over $25,000.
'It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the unexpected and tragic passing of our beloved Julian Ryan on July 4th, 2025,' the family wrote in a statement posted on the fundraiser.
'Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero. While we are eternally grateful for his sacrifice, we are shattered by our loss. His sudden departure has left an unfillable void in all our lives.'
'He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness,' the family added. 'He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.'
As of Sunday morning, the flood's death toll had climbed to at least 51. Officials said 27 children from Camp Mystic, a summer camp along the river, remained unaccounted for as rescue teams continued combing the area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
More intense and more ... than anything that had come before: How experts 'define' Psychological Warfare between Iran and Israel played on internet
AI Image * Iran sent alerts in Hebrew to thousands of Israeli mobile phones warning recipients to avoid bomb shelters as militants planned to attack those inside * A video on Twitter and messaging app Telegram showed blast at an entrance to Evin prison, which is notorious for holding political prisoners * False images of destroyed B-2 bombers appeared online when President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran's nuclear sites Hours before Israeli forces bombed Evin prison in Tehran on June 23, 2025, Persian-language social media posts urged Iranians to free prisoners, foreshadowing the attack. A video, appearing moments after the strike on Twitter and Telegram, showed a supposed blast at the prison's entrance, notorious for housing political prisoners, accompanied by the hashtag '#freeevin.' According to researchers quoted by The New York Times in the report, these posts and the video were part of an Israeli disinformation campaign, not authentic content. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Over 12 days of conflict, Israel and Iran are reported to have turned social media into a digital battlefield, using AI-driven deception alongside missile strikes that killed hundreds and destabilized the Middle East. Researchers noted an unprecedented intensity in this information warfare, leveraging generative AI and social media's reach to spread propaganda rapidly. 'It's certainly a new era of influence warfare,' said James J.F. Forest, a security studies professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, emphasizing the unmatched scale of modern propaganda. Iran sent Hebrew-language alerts to Israeli phones, warning against using bomb shelters due to supposed militant attacks, while Israel-linked accounts on X used AI-generated content, including a narrated video by an AI-created woman, to undermine Iran's government. Both sides flooded platforms like X, Telegram, YouTube, and TikTok with fabricated images and videos, including manipulated footage of Evin prison and false claims of downed Israeli F-35s or a captured pilot, later debunked by organizations like NewsGuard (The New York Times). What it means for future wars in the US and elsewhere Experts warn that the heavy propaganda and deception offers a preview of what the United States or other nations would almost certainly face in case of war. Case in point are the fake images of destroyed B-2 bombers that appeared online when President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran's deeply buried nuclear sites. "Some question how prepared the United States is, especially with Trump's administration cutting efforts to combat foreign influence operations. U.S. military strategy embraces information operations — which have been known in the Pentagon since 2010 as Military Information Support Operations — but they have often been treated as little more than a supporting role," the report said. Hany Farid, a UC Berkeley professor and co-founder of GetReal Security, contrasted today's tactics with World War II's leaflets and radio broadcasts. 'Now you have a million messages that you send out to a million individuals,' he told New York Times. Despite widespread skepticism, these campaigns, viewed millions of times, aim to shape public perceptions, with Iran targeting regional audiences and Israel seeking to erode confidence in Iran's regime, according to Ari Ben-Am of Telemetry Data Labs. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
India News Live Updates: AAIB's initial report on AI plane crash found no mechanical or maintenance issues with aircraft or engines, says Air India CEO Campbell Wilson
14 Jul 2025 | 12:20:42 PM IST India News Live Update: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson made a statement on AAIB's preliminary report. "AAIB's initial report on AI plane crash found no mechanical or maintenance issues with aircraft or engines," he said. India News Live Update: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson made a statement on AAIB's preliminary report. "AAIB's initial report on AI plane crash found no mechanical or maintenance issues with aircraft or engines," he said. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson reacts to AAIB's preliminary report saying, "AAIB's initial report on AI plane crash found no mechanical or maintenance issues with aircraft or engines."Pilots passed mandatory pre-flight breath analyser; no observations pertaining to their medical status, he initial report identified no cause nor made any recommendations; urge everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions, Wilson CEO also said, "Out of abundance of caution, every Boeing 787 operating in fleet checked within days of the crash and found fit for service." - Air India CEO Campbell Wilson The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a plea seeking the lifting of the stay order over the release of the movie 'Udaipur Files'. The plea was filed by Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia on behalf of the producer of the stated that the CBFC has already approved the said film and it's non-release is violating his fundamental right. The Delhi High Court recently stayed the release of the movie one day before its official release date over Kanwar Yatra concerns. Delhi's Rouse Avenue court reserved order on cognisance of the prosecution complaint of the ED against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others in the National Herald money laundering court has listed the matter for order on July 29.(ANI) China and India should steadily advance practical cooperation, respect each other's concerns, and promote stable development of relations, says China's Han Zheng as EAM Jaishankar visits China.(Source: Reuters cited Xinhua) The threat was sent to two schools through the mail. One of these is in Chanakyapuri and the other in Dwarka. Nothing suspicious has been found so far during the search, says Delhi Police. Major income tax department raids are underway against those who arranged for persons to avail bogus deductions through donations to registered or unregistered political parties under 80GGC. Raids are also underway against those who have enabled persons to claim bogus deductions towards payment of tuition fees and medical expenses and under other are underway across India on more than 200 is a part of IT dept drive against the rampant tendency to claim bogus deductions in old tax regime taking undue benefit of paperless IT returns. It follows the NUDGE campaign by the department where persons have been informed regarding their bogus claims and advised to file revised or updated ITRs. Rupee falls 22 paise to 86.02 against the US dollar in early trade Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Sunday that health authorities have drawn up a contact list after a 57-year-old man, who died recently in Palakkad, tested positive for Nipah virus in a preliminary examination. Confirmation from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, is currently awaited, reported marks the second suspected Nipah infection reported in the district. The case was first detected through testing conducted at Manjeri Medical to the minister, 'People who came in contact were immediately identified. There are 46 people in the contact list. Other information, including CCTV, has been collected. A route map has been prepared based on the available information.' Federal officials on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's escalating campaign to deport immigrants in the U.S. illegally, including a California farm raid that left one worker dead, and said the administration would appeal a ruling to halt some of its more aggressive tactics, reported Reuters. Trump has vowed to deport millions of people in the country illegally and has executed raids at work sites including farms that were largely exempted from enforcement during his first term. The administration has faced dozens of lawsuits across the country for its tactics. Rescuers found a seventh body on Sunday in the search for survivors and victims, after a boat carrying migrants capsized days ago off the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, reported boat was heading for US territory Puerto Rico on Friday when it sank, according to the emergency responders of the Dominican Civil Defense. The 12th batch of pilgrims began their journey to the Amarnath cave shrine from the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam early Monday, as the annual pilgrimage continues despite intermittent Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism's most significant pilgrimages, has seen a steady flow of devotees this year. On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha confirmed that the total number of pilgrims undertaking the yatra has crossed the 2-lakh mark.'This is a sacred journey of a lifetime, and I welcome all the devotees to discover and experience the divinity. Har Har Mahadev!' Sinha posted on social media platform X.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Farm worker dies after U.S. immigration raid in California
A farm worker has died after being injured during a raid by U.S. immigration agents on a legal cannabis farm in California, his family said on Saturday (July 13, 2025). Raids on agricultural sites on Thursday resulted in the arrests of 200 undocumented migrants, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's wide-ranging anti-immigration crackdown, and clashes between law enforcement officials and protesters. The farm worker's family had started a page on the fundraising platform GoFundMe to help support his relatives in Mexico. On Saturday, the page posted an update to say he had "passed away." Mr. Trump campaigned for the presidency on a harsh anti-immigration platform, likening undocumented migrants to "animals" and "monsters," and since taking office he has delivered on promises to conduct a massive deportation drive. On Friday, he called demonstrators involved in attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents "slimeballs" and said they should be arrested. The chaotic raid on the cannabis plantation in Ventura County, about 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Los Angeles, saw the worker who later died being chased by ICE agents, his family said. "My uncle Jaime was just a hard-working, innocent farmer," said a post on the GoFundMe page. "He was chased by ICE agents, and we were told he fell 30ft (9 meters)." The page described his injuries as "catastrophic." Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman, said he was never in custody. "Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet," Ms. McLaughlin said. "(Customs and Border Patrol) immediately called a medevac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible." DHS said 200 undocumented migrants were arrested during raids on marijuana growing sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo on Thursday and 10 children were rescued "from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking." Glass House Brands, which owns the farms, said in a statement that it has "never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors." DHS said more than 500 "rioters" had attempted to disrupt the operation and four US citizens are facing charges for assaulting or resisting officers. Tear gas was used against the protesters, some of whom were seen in television footage throwing projectiles at law enforcement vehicles. The department said immigration agency vehicles were damaged, and a $50,000 reward was being offered for the arrest of an individual who allegedly fired a gun at law enforcement officers. American dream 'no longer' In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr. Trump said he had watched footage of "thugs" throwing rocks and bricks at ICE vehicles, causing "tremendous damage." Mr. Trump said he was authorising law enforcement officers who are "on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so." "I am giving Total Authorization for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public," he said. Mr. Trump has been involved in a showdown over immigration enforcement with Democratic-ruled California for weeks. The Republican president sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles last month to quell protests against round-ups of undocumented migrants by federal agents. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the troops were not necessary to address the mostly peaceful protests, but his legal efforts to have them removed have failed so far. The cannabis farm in Camarillo was calm during a visit by an AFP reporter on Friday, as workers waited in line to collect their belongings and paychecks. "We've been here since six this morning asking questions but they're not giving us any information," said Saul Munoz, a 43-year-old Colombian whose son was detained on Thursday. "I just want to know how he's doing," Munoz said. "Bring him back to me and if it's time for us to leave, we'll leave. "The truth is the American dream is no longer really the American dream."
