By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
A Sunday afternoon trip to South Padre Island ended in tragedy after a 49-year-old Edcouch man died following a water rescue near County Beach Access No. 5.
According to Cameron County officials, emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 5:05 p.m. on June 21 to an area about one mile north of County Beach Access No. 5 after receiving reports of an unresponsive swimmer who had been pulled from the water.
When Cameron County Park Rangers arrived, they joined Cameron County Beach Patrol personnel in performing lifesaving measures on the man at the scene.
The swimmer was identified as Matthew J. Shaw, 49, of Edcouch. Witnesses reported Shaw had gone swimming shortly before the incident occurred.
Officials said Shaw was transported to the entrance of County Beach Access No. 5, where care was transferred to South Padre Island EMS. He was then taken to Valley Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead despite continued medical efforts.
Authorities confirmed that Shaw’s next of kin have been notified. The incident remains under investigation.
The tragedy prompted an outpouring of condolences from community members and renewed discussions about water safety along the Texas coast.
“Prayers and condolences for his family,” Kristin Mason wrote in a social media post. “We were at the island on Sunday, not that access, but the waves were pretty intense that day.”
Others shared personal experiences highlighting the unpredictable conditions swimmers can encounter, even in areas that appear calm.
Kasandra Darlene said she felt compelled to share a frightening experience she had two days earlier near County Beach Access No. 6 after learning of Shaw’s death.
“I’ve been going to South Padre since I was a little girl. I’m a decent swimmer. I feel like I know this beach,” Darlene wrote. “On Friday, I was in shallow water literally just walking, and I stepped into a sudden drop and went straight under.”
Darlene described being repeatedly pushed underwater by waves before eventually regaining her composure and allowing the water to carry her toward shallower depths.
“For a moment, I really thought I wasn’t making it out,” she wrote.
She urged beachgoers to remain vigilant, warning that changing sandbars, sudden drop-offs and currents can create hazardous conditions even in seemingly shallow water.
“This water is no joke, even when it looks calm and shallow,” Darlene wrote. “Those dips and currents will catch you off guard in seconds.”
Beach safety officials routinely remind swimmers to remain aware of changing surf conditions, swim near lifeguards when possible, avoid entering the water alone and pay attention to posted warning flags.
Anyone visiting the beach is encouraged to check current surf conditions before entering the water and to seek assistance immediately if they observe a swimmer in distress.