The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call in reference to a boating accident that occurred on the Sabine River around 6:20 p.m., Saturday. The accident was near the end of West Bluff Road in the north Orange area of Orange County.

Deputies and rescue personnel with Emergency Services District #3 arrived on scene. They discovered 40 year old Andy Borel and his two daughters had been out in a boat on the Sabine River when the inclement weather came into the area.

Borel was operating the boat and collided with a dock, losing control and ejecting all three occupants. The boat immediately sank underwater.

Seven year old Anna Borel sustained serious injury to her hand and leg. The other girl, Janae Borel, 10, could not be immediately found.

It was reported that she was wearing a life jacket. As more emergency personnel arrived on scene, the boat was located underwater. The 10 year old girl was located near the boat underwater. She had been trapped by the boat. The girl was non-responsive.

The two girls were transported to Baptist Hospital in Orange, but life saving measures could not revive Janae.

Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Judge David Peck arrived at the hospital and ordered an autopsy of the 10-year-old. She was taken to the Jefferson County Morgue. The 7-year -old had to be air-lifted to a Houston hospital due to the severity and type of injuries.

The father did not sustain any serious injury.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens were also on scene and are conducting an accident investigation.

The investigation is on-going and more information may be released as it becomes available.