The family of a Texan who lost his life while saving relatives from an unexpected flash flood has shared his final, poignant words: ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.’
Julian Ryan, 27, passed away early on the morning of July 4th after powerful floodwaters from the Guadalupe River, which rose more than 30 feet beyond its usual level, inundated his family’s home in Ingram.
The flooding, triggered by heavy rains overnight, left little time for families along the river to react.
Ryan’s fiancée, Christinia Wilson, said the water surged into their home so quickly that it reached knee-level in just 20 minutes.
‘The water just started rushing in, and we had to push hard to close the door and hold it shut to minimize the flooding,’ she explained to KHOU.
‘We ran back into the room and we started calling 911 but it just kept coming. We had no choice but to get out.’
In a final act of heroism, Ryan punched through a window to help his fiancée, their children and his mother escape to the roof.
But, the glass tore through his arm, severing an artery and nearly detaching the limb.
The family of a Texas father who died while rescuing his loved ones from sudden flash flooding in Texas shared his final, heartbreaking words: ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all.’ Pictured: Julian Ryan (left) with his fiancée Christinia Wilson and their children
Julian Ryan (pictured), 27, died early Friday morning, July 4, after fast-moving floodwaters from the Guadalupe River – which surged over 30 feet above its normal height – swept into his family’s home in Ingram
The flooding, triggered by heavy rains overnight, left little time for families along the river to react. Pictured: Houses and cars are partially submerged in flood waters in an aerial view near Kerrville, Texas on July 4, 2025
‘It almost cut it clean off,’ Wilson said of her loved one’s catastrophic injury.
Despite the severe injury, Ryan stayed focused on getting his family out safely. But with emergency responders unable to reach them in time, the father of two succumbed to his wounds hours later.
‘About six o’clock my husband was dead. He had lost all of it… all of his blood,’ she said.
Holding back tears, Wilson recalled her fiancé’s harrowing final moments.
‘He looked at me, the kids, and his mother and said, “I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,”‘ she said, adding that Ryan’s body was recovered later that morning after the water receded.
Loved ones say Ryan’s bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.
‘He died a hero,’ his sister, Connie Salas, said. ‘That will never go unnoticed.’
The heroic father’s family is now mourning the loss of a man they describe as kind, funny and fiercely devoted to those he loved.
‘He’s the kindest person I’ve ever met in my life,’ close friend Kris Roberts said. ‘I’ll forever love him no matter what.’
Ryan’s fiancée, Christinia Wilson (pictured with family), said the water surged into their home so quickly that it reached knee-level in just 20 minutes
In a final act of heroism, Ryan (pictured) punched through a window to help his fiancée, their children and his mother escape to the roof
As they grieve, Ryan’s relatives are also calling for changes in flood preparedness, they believe earlier warnings – like flood sirens – could have saved lives. Pictured: Julian Ryan and Christinia Wilson
As they grieve, Ryan’s relatives are also calling for changes in flood preparedness. They believe earlier warnings – like flood sirens – could have saved lives.
‘If we’d heard a siren, we would’ve left,’ Wilson said. ‘We had so many safe places to go.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover funeral expenses and recover from the loss. In a statement posted to the fundraiser, Ryan’s relatives said his death has left ‘an unfillable void.’
‘Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero,’ the family wrote. ‘While we are eternally grateful for his sacrifice, we are shattered by our loss. His sudden departure has left an unfillable void in all our lives.
‘He was known to have an infectious laugh and unwavering kindness. He touched countless lives with his humor and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,’ the fundraising page reads.
As of Saturday afternoon, the death toll to 50, with 27 children from a summer camp situated along the river – Camp Mystic – still missing, according to CNN.
As of Saturday afternoon, the death toll has risen to 50, with 27 children from a summer camp situated along the river – Camp Mystic – still missing. Pictured: Furnitures lie scattered inside a cabin at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding
At least nine campers lost their lives in the floods which slammed into the camp in the early hours of Friday
Earlier today, harrowing images emerged showing the remains of the leveled summer camp.
Inside, sodden beds and blankets of the campers can be seen covered in a thick sludge and belongings such as bags and clothing are also seen strewn across the floor.
Another build saw its roof sag over the ruined building as pieces of jagged wood splintered underneath it.
At least three campers were killed when the unprecedented current slammed the camp as the girls slept. Dozens more people, including other campers, are still missing.
Among those confirmed dead are 15 children, including the three young girls who were attending the popular Hunt-based summer camp.
Renee Smajstrla, eight, Janie Hunt, nine, and Sarah Marsh all perished when the camp was washed away by the flood waters.
Search and rescue efforts remain the top priority in central Texas, according to Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, as crews continue to search for the missing along the Guadalupe River.
Search and rescue efforts remain the top priority in central Texas, according to Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, as crews continue to search for the missing along the Guadalupe River. Pictured: People comfort each other outside the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library in Kerville after heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to flood and damage several communities in Central Texas
‘We’re really focused on life safety,’ Rice said. ‘Our primary focus is on the search and rescue of every single person involved, and we’ll continue through the night to make sure that happens.’
He noted that recovery operations were also underway Saturday, with authorities working to identify victims.
‘We knew today was going to be that day, so our numbers are going to constantly be changing,’ he said.
‘We’re in a marathon,’ Rice added. ‘And we’ve got to make sure we always keep that in mind – and look after each other.’
