Five boats sank during a parade on Lake Travis in support of President Trump on Saturday, according to the Travis County Sheriff's Office. Austin-Travis County EMS tweeted that "no injuries or medical emergencies" occurred as a result.
Three of the boats that sank were towed and two remain submerged, TCSO said in press release on Sunday. Just after the parade began, the sheriff’s office started receiving distress calls from boaters, including reports that boats were taking on water, capsizing and sinking. The office said it responded to a total of 15 calls, all of which were resolved without injuries. Most boats that were taking on water were able to be towed before they sank.
The office said it hasn’t found any “evidence of foul play” associated with the incidents.
“Weather conditions on Lake Travis were calm,” the office said in the press release. “When the large number of boats began moving together, the wakes generated large waves in areas where participating boats were dense.”
As the presidential election has geared up, boat rallies have become popular events among Trump supporters. More than 8,000 people had responded to the Lake Travis event's Facebook page.
"Boats of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to participate," organizers wrote on the page.
Texas Republican leaders, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, began a Trump bus tour across the state this week as well. Texas has been a reliably Republican state for decades. But several polls show former Vice President Joe Biden in a virtual tie with Trump. That's led to increased spending by Democrats to win the state.
This story has been updated.
