x
Breaking News
More () »

Jasper man dies zip-lining at Backwoods Beach

911 calls for a possible drowning came in to the Newton County Sheriffs office around 6:30 p.m., and Newton County deputies, State Game Wardens and Trout Creek First Responders were dispatched to the scene.

NEWTON COUNTY — A 20-year-old Jasper man is dead after witnesses say he fell from a zip-line at the Backwoods Beach swimming area near Trout Creek and Bon Wier.

Davonte Rokell "DJ" Jones, drowned after falling into deep water while riding the zip-line across the swimming hole. Jones could not swim.

911 calls for a possible drowning came in to the Newton County Sheriffs office around 6:30 p.m., and Newton County deputies, State Game Wardens and Trout Creek First Responders were dispatched to the scene.

Jones' body was found by State Game Wardens around 9:07 p.m. near where he was last seen.

Witnesses say Jones' friends tried to rescue him, but were unable to.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office stated that there were no lifeguards at the Backwoods Beach swimming area.

The owner of Backwoods Beach said that he was told by his manager that there indeed was a lifeguard there at the time of the incident.

Cara Elsbury, Jones' friend from 'Bibles and Bulls' bible study at Harvest Church that includes bull riding, was in disbelief upon receiving the devastating news.

"I cried...very hard to believe," said Elsbury.

Cara will not forget Jones' smile and his passion for bull riding, learning and helping others.

"We are going to miss his smiling face. When you saw him in town, he would smile and hug you. I'm going to miss that," added Elsbury.

There is a GoFundMe page set up for donations to hep pay for final expenses.

The donation page says Jones, "was known for his love of rodeo, and specifically for his passion of bull riding. DJ was an excellent bull rider who participated in Bibles & Bulls program at the Jasper County Cowboy Church, Harvest Church, and under the direction of Vern Kaylor."

From the Newton County Sheriffs Office...

At approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday June, 16, 2018, the Newton County Sheriffs office received a 911 call about a possible drowning at Backwoods Beach swimming area. It is located between Trout Creek and Bon Wier on County Road 4096.

Newton County Deputies, State Game Wardens and Trout Creek First Responders were dispatched.

It ws reported that the victim was on a zip line and a friend was waiting at the bottom to help him swim to shore. The victim did not know how to swim and landed in deep water.

According to witnesses, efforts by friends to rescue the victim failed.

The victim is identified as De Vonta Rokell Jones B/M, DOB 4-25-98, of Jasper Texas.

The victim was located by state game wardens at approximately 9:07 p.m. near where he was last seen.

Justice of the Peace Connie Smith, Pct 1, Newton County, held the inquest and ordered an autopsy.

Before You Leave, Check This Out