John Bankston Missing Person Case

John Clinton Bankston, a 17-year-old from Dallas, Texas, was last seen on July 13, 1987, during a tragic accident involving a flash flood near Comfort, Texas. Bankston was one of 43 individuals, mainly teenagers from Seagoville Road Baptist Church, who were leaving a church camp at Pot O' Gold Ranch when their bus and van were swept away by rising waters of the Guadalupe River. Despite his efforts to help others during the chaos, including saving a friend with a broken leg, Bankston was ultimately swept away by the floodwaters and has been missing ever since. His body was never recovered, making him the only one of the ten victims from that day whose remains were not found.

Bankston is remembered as a hero by witnesses who reported that he prioritized the safety of others before himself. The search for his body continued for several weeks, involving hundreds of volunteers and officials, but was eventually called off, leaving his family without closure. Despite the passage of time, John Bankston is still listed as a missing person, with his case classified as "lost, injured, and missing".
Last Seen: Jul 13, 1987

Ninth Body Found, Leaving One River Victim Missing

Year later, father still searches for body of son - UPI Archives

John Clinton Bankston

Search continues for last victim of flash flood - UPI Archives

John Bankston | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom

Missing Person / NamUs #MP8845

30 years after flood swept 10 Dallas-area teens to their deaths ...

Father Ends Search for Son Who Drowned - Los Angeles Times