(NewsNation) — The parents of an 8-year-old girl who died in last summer’s flooding in central Texas say they are suing the summer camp where 25 children perished in hopes of preventing future tragedies.
The suit filed on behalf of Matthew and Kristin Pohl alleges operators of Camp Mystic ignored flood alerts that were issued as early as July 2 before torrential rains sent the Guadalupe River into cabins early July 4, lawyer Kyle Findley says. Yet camp officials during the interim removed lawn care equipment, he said.
“Lawn equipment was more important than protecting children, and that’s the issue,” the attorney told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Thursday.
Abby Pohl, an elementary student from Austin, was among the girls killed in the disaster, along with two counselors, at the campsite. Her two older sisters were also staying at Camp Mystic but were able to get to safety, Kristin Pohl said.
“The two of them had to walk by their sister’s cabin as they evacuated, and one of our daughters asked if they could put her on her back to save her, but was told, ‘No,’” the mother said. “Abby was left in her cabin.”
Camp Mystic is located in Kerr County, a region of Texas that is known as “Flash Flood Alley.” Findley says camp owners have fought efforts to require them to move cabins to higher ground.
“This is intended for transparency, accountability and to ensure it never happens again,” Matthew Pohl said of the legal action.
Other families have filed suit against the camp. Lawyers representing the business say the floods of July 4 were unprecedented.
“We disagree with several accusations and misinformation in the legal filings regarding the actions of Camp Mystic and Dick Eastland, who lost his life as well. We will thoroughly respond to these accusations in due course,” attorney Jeff Ray told CBS Austin.