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Contact: Christiana Admiral, 928-608-6351
A Lake Powell houseboater died while attempting to rescue her two-year old son, who had fallen overboard, on August 23. The cause of death is presumed to be drowning, but is pending coroner's confirmation. This is the sixth fatality in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area this year. A 33-year-old woman was boating near Halls Crossing at Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, when her 2-year-old son fell overboard. The woman went into the water to rescue the boy and was able to hold him out of the water until her brother could reach them in a runabout boat and pull them out of the water. The woman was unresponsive when pulled from the water. National Park Service Rangers responded to reports received via marine band radio, channel 16, that CPR was in progress. Rangers continued resuscitation efforts. Ultimately resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The 2-year-old child was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center in stable condition for precautionary medical evaluation. "A common denominator in more than 120 fatalities at Lake Powell in the last decades is that victims were not wearing life jackets, said Meri Sias, Acting Chief Ranger at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area." While life jackets are required for children 12 years of age and under, all boaters on Lake Powell are encouraged to wear life jackets. "There are no words to convey the tragedy of losing a loved one like this," said Teri Tucker, Acting Superintendent for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. "Our hearts are with the family and friends of the victims during this time of unexpected pain and loss." This incident is being investigated by the National Park Service, San Juan County Sheriff's Office, and Utah State Parks. |
Last updated: August 25, 2016