Physique of lacking swimmer recovered at Sand Hollow Reservoir

SALT LAKE CITY — Rescue crews recovered the physique of a 22-year-old man Tuesday night after trying to find hours at Sand Hollow Reservoir close to St. George.

The man, who was visiting Utah from Michigan, had been out on the water with three associates when he disappeared beneath the floor.

According to Sgt. Justin Bice with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the swimmer was final seen on the dive park, and dispatchers acquired the primary emergency name about 20 minutes previous midday.

“A 22-year-old male was seen struggling in the water and then went under,” Bice mentioned. “Family has been notified that he is likely deceased.”

Search groups spent the afternoon scanning a large part of the reservoir, which required the assistance of a number of businesses, together with the Hurricane police and hearth departments, the Department of Public Safety and the Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue.

Although the water in that space is barely about 20 ft deep, Bice mentioned the problem was pinpointing the precise location the place the swimmer went underneath — particularly with wind and shifting situations.

“Knowing exactly where he went under is the difficult part of this recovery,” he mentioned. “We’re scanning a fairly large area.”

Around 5 p.m., crews positioned the person’s physique.

Bice used the second to induce guests to take water security severely because the state ramps up for a sizzling and busy summer season season.

“If you’re not a strong swimmer, the value of personal flotation devices is immense,” he mentioned. “I’ve personally never responded to a drowning where they were wearing any type of certified personal flotation device — very, very rare.

It’s going to be a hot, busy summer, so we just want to remind the public to be safe out on our recreation areas.”

Authorities haven’t but launched the sufferer’s title. They prolonged their condolences to his household and mentioned the incident stays underneath investigation.