Lost a good friend of mine.

[Jimmy]

Right now, I'm going through some pretty hard time....

A childhood buddy of mine, who I have grown up with over the years, has drowned in a lake located about 35 miles from Corpus Christi. He and a few of his friends just went on a weekend boating trip at Lake Mathis. His body went missing in the lake yesterday afternoon after an accident involving their boat. I don't know any more details other than his body was just found about an hour ago as I type -- over 30 hours after his disappearance into the lake.

I feel especially sad for his father (one of the few people who I've looked up to), who earlier this year lost his mother due to cancer, and now, he has lost his only son.

Vishal Bhaghat
December 19, 1980 - August 26, 2006

[Brandon]

Jimmy,

I'm sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to lose a childhood friend like that. If you need anything, we're here for you ;)

[Stacy]

I spent a great deal of time at Mathis Lake as a kid, so I know what that area is like. It's sad that it took some time to find him, but thank God they did.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and with you.

[Greenville, Texan]

Oh geez,
I'm sorry Jimmy. Our prayers are with you and with his family. I know they can count on you for support, but I also know it is going to be hard for you as well.
God bless and let us know if there is anything we can do.

[Jimmy]

I used to live in Mathis as a child from '82 to '87, so I've had my experiences at the lake back in the days. The lake must be deeper than I thought, as I could go some places well in the lake and still keep my head above water.

It probably was tough for him just to find some time to get out and do something leisuely, since he was a hotel manager of a Hampton Inn, so he was always busy hard at work almost all the time. Anyway thank you all for your thoughts, that really does make us feel better.

http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_4950477,00.html


Here is the story from our local paper:

Search crews recovered the body of a 25-year-old Beeville man Sunday after searching the murky waters of Lake Corpus Christi for more than 24 hours. State Park Police Officer David England said the body of Vishal Bhagat was discovered about 8 p.m.

Search crews from the San Patricio County Sheriff's Department, Corpus Christi Police Department and Mathis and Annaville fire departments, as well as state park police and game wardens, began looking for Bhagat after his family called about 4:30 p.m. Saturday to report his drowning.

England said they searched until 4 a.m. Sunday and resumed at 8 a.m.
"He went into the water trying to catch a float that had drifted off," England said. "He couldn't catch it and he tired out and went down."
A member of Bhagat's family went in after him but was unable to rescue him, England said.

The lake, four miles southwest of Mathis, is located inside a state park. Its waters are normally calm and protected from weather, England said. "More than likely he was just fatigued," he said.

[sfft_2108]

I am sorry to hear about that Jimmy.

[SupermanFan2332]

I cant even imagine how this must feel. Im so sorry to hear about this loss.

[Jimmy]

First off, I want to thank you all for the support and kind words. It really does make us feel better. :)

We honored our late friend Vishal Bhaghat, by joining together and continue doing something he left doing.....helping in a battle against diabetes.

Vishal was a diabetic, which contributed in his sudden drowning in Lake Mathis. And all throughout his college years, he has spent his own time and was very dedicated in helping raise funds for research in finding a cure for diabetes.

On Saturday, October 7, we came together for a four-mile walk around downtown Corpus Christi to help raise funds for a cure.

http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_5052065,00.html

Violin melodies uptown mingled with horns blasting jazz downtown Saturday morning as Lupe Munoz, 64, limped onto Upper Broadway. She could see about 2,000 walkers she trailed snaking along Water Street.
Munoz, who has knee problems and is diabetic, represented Broadmoor Park Senior Center in the fourth Dancing Thru Downtown walk for the American Diabetes Association. "If I run out of juice, I'll holler for help," Munoz said, sweat beading on her forehead as workers behind her stacked orange traffic cones.

Munoz and her husband, Gus, 68, were the tail-end twosome in the four-mile jaunt that yielded $148,362.32 by the end of the walk to help defeat diabetes. That's about $20,000 more than last year, organizer Janie Bell said, adding that some teams hadn't added their collections to the pot.

A wave of about 200 dark blue T-shirts blended into the colorful snake of strolling participants for one man - Vishal Bhaghat. The recently deceased 25-year-old Corpus Christi resident organized fundraisers in college to combat the juvenile diabetes he fought, said his sister Vilina Bhaghat, 23. "Friends and family wanted to carry on his commitment for a cure," she said.

More than 16,000 adults in Nueces County have diabetes, while the disease affects an estimated 40,000 people in the county.
"Diabetes is a very serious challenge in this area," said the Most Rev. Bishop Edmond Carmody of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, moments after leading prayer before the walk. "It affects the whole family, not just the one who suffers with the disease."

Diabetes affects about 21 million Americans, including children.
Trevor Cooper, 7, thumbed the strap of his backpack while straddling a flashy BMX bike beneath the starting line arch of colorful balloons.
"It's medical supplies," said Trevor, while adjusting his helmet. He has type one diabetes and is on a 24-hour insulin pump.

Trevor carries a diabetes test kit and supplies everywhere he goes, said his mother Kasey Cooper, 33, a personal health trainer. "We work hard to be healthy."

[SupermanFan2332]

Glad to see your spending time for a good cause Jimmy.