The operators of Camp Mystic in Texas, where 25 girls and two teenage counselors died in catastrophic flooding on July 4, failed to take necessary steps to protect the campers as life-threatening floodwaters approached, families of the victims allege in a lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed in state court in Austin, seeks more than $1 million in damages and positions the camp's negligence at the center of the tragedy, especially amidst plans for the camp’s reopening next summer.
The allegations include that a groundskeeper was ordered to evacuate equipment while campers were directed to stay in flood-prone cabins, leading to overwhelming consequences as floodwaters hit. The suit claims that the decision-making process put profit over the safety of the children.
Defendants named in the lawsuit include Camp Mystic and its affiliated entities, as well as the estate of the camp owner, who also perished in the flooding.
As the community reels from this disaster, families emphasize the need for accountability and reform to ensure the safety of children in future camp settings.
