Body found in Brays Bayou matches description of man who jumped in to rescue 2 kids, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A body found in Brays Bayou on Friday matches the description of a man who was swept away while rescuing two children earlier this week, police said.

SkyEye video shows crews standing along Brays Bayou near Texas Spur 5 and Wheeler Road. According Houston police, a dive team recovered the male's body from the water at about 10:15 a.m.

A positive identity was not yet known. The medical examiner's office will verify the man's identity after they conduct their investigation, HPD said.

Crews had been searching Brays Bayou since Wednesday after a 22-year-old man and another adult jumped into the water to rescue two 12-year-olds who got too close to the water and fell in near the bridge at Almeda and MacGregor.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Search continues for man who jumped into Brays Bayou to help 2 children who fell in

Strong currents and wind meant dive teams couldn't safely get in the water. Instead, they're in boats using sonar technology to search.

Everyone managed to get out of the water except for the 22-year-old, HPD said. He has been missing ever since.

"He risked his life to save these kids. He's a hero. He did everything he could," Cmdr. Spears said. "The guy that did save these kids' lives, he did save their lives. He should be commended as a hero."

Spears said the high water levels lowered on Friday, making the search easier for dive teams.

"This is kind of a funnel point. We get quite a few drownings over in this area," Spears said about the section of the bayou near Spur 5. "The way the streams and that stuff works, it pushes bodies down into this area."

The bayou's current was flowing very quickly following heavy rain earlier this week, causing suction points at the bridges. It was also very windy, meaning the dive teams initially weren't able to safely get into the water.

Up until Friday, crews used helicopters and boats with sonar technology to search up and down the bayou before dive teams could be deployed.

Spears said a group of 30 to 40 family members and friends had been searching the area. An ambulance responded to the scene on Friday to provide care for a distraught family member.

"He must have been a special individual. Hopefully we can give them some closure," Spears said.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Man lost in Brays Bayou after trying to help 2 children in the water, Houston police say

A search got underway Wednesday in Brays Bayou where police say someone trying to rescue a person caught in the water slipped under himself.