Body of Mabank Man Recovered from Cedar Creek Reservoir

Texas game wardens locate and retrieve 42-year-old after late-night boating accident.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:41pm

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Texas game wardens have recovered the body of a 42-year-old Mabank man from Cedar Creek Reservoir after his boat capsized during a late-night fishing trip, resulting in a difficult search and recovery operation.

Why it matters

Boating accidents and drownings are a tragic reality on Texas waterways, highlighting the importance of water safety and the difficult work of first responders in these situations.

The details

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), Sammy Matlock was one of three men fishing in the Payne Springs area when their boat took on water and capsized. All three tried to swim back to shore, but Matlock never made it. Local game wardens and the Texas Game Warden Underwater Search and Recovery Team located and recovered Matlock's body around 10:30 Friday morning.

  • Matlock's boat capsized during a late-night fishing trip.
  • Matlock's body was recovered around 10:30 AM on Friday.

The players

Sammy Matlock

A 42-year-old man from Mabank, Texas who drowned after his boat capsized on Cedar Creek Reservoir.

Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD)

The state agency responsible for managing Texas' natural resources, including waterways, and coordinating search and rescue efforts.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with recreational boating and the importance of water safety education, life jacket usage, and coordinated emergency response efforts to prevent and respond to such accidents.