Two Galveston Police Officers Hospitalized After Near-Drowning Training Incident

Two Galveston police officers were hospitalized after a near-drowning incident during a swift water rescue training exercise at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. The training involved the Galveston Police Department Marine and Dive Team, Houston Fire Department, and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. During the exercise, one officer lost footing in the fast-moving water, causing two officers to be submerged for about a minute and a half before being rescued. One officer required CPR and was transported to the hospital by police vehicle, while the other was conscious and taken by ambulance; both are now in stable condition. Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli expressed gratitude for the rapid and effective response by emergency personnel present at the training. The officers' identities have not been publicly disclosed.