East Texas Drowning Victim Identified

GLADEWATER � Officials have identified a Gladewater man who drowned in Prairie Creek while taking a swim during a fishing outing with his son. Officials said the drowning occurred Saturday evening near Prairie Creek Bridge on Texas 135. Gregg County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson identified the victim as Timothy Matthew Carson, 36. He said the two decided to take a swim while fishing on the creek Saturday evening. The father went under and failed to surface. His body was found about 8:15 p.m., and an inquest was performed about 9:45. Gregg County Game Warden Todd Long said that while the investigation was continuing, there was no sign of foul play in the man�s death. �It appears to be an accident, no suspicious activity,� Long said.

The creek runs below Texas 135 just north of Crews Road between Gladewater and Kilgore. It pools into a makeshift swimming hole just west of Texas 135. Long said the only witness to the death was the victim�s son. Long and a Gregg County sheriff�s deputy were among those who responded to the call, said Gregg County Lt. Kirk Haddix.