PROVO, Utah, June 8, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 12-year-old boy died Saturday afternoon after falling into the Provo River near Bridal Veil Falls.
The boy had been visiting Utah with family when he fell into the water near the base of Bridal Veil Falls about 1:45 p.m., according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders spotted the boy several times as he traveled down the river and ultimately pulled him out about 4 miles downstream near 800 North in Orem, Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Garrett Dutson told Gephardt Daily.
“The river is moving pretty fast,” Dutson said. “Just because Deer Creek is pretty full, they’ve had to open the waterways a little bit, and so it’s running about 1,800 to 2,000 cubic feet per second. So it’s moving pretty quick.”
An Orem firefighter who specializes in swift-water rescue jumped in with a rope attached to him and grabbed the boy, and Utah County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue crews were able to pull them to shore. By that time, the boy had been in the water about an hour, Dutson said.
Within minutes of being pulled from the river, the boy was taken by ambulance to Utah Valley Hospital, where he later died.
“[It’s a] very sad situation,” Dutson said. “I’m sure the family was out there just enjoying the beautiful day and the heat, and [going] out by the waterfall.”
It’s unknown how the boy ended up in the water, he said.
Utah County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, and Provo, American Fork, Saratoga Springs and Unified fire crews responded to assist.
Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi shared a warning on social media Saturday that the river was “running at a very fast rate throughout the county.”
“It is EXTREMELY dangerous to recreate anywhere nearby — PLEASE STAY AWAY. Consider alternative locations until the flow returns to normal. If you do visit parks or trails along the Provo River, stay at least 40 feet away from riverbanks,” the post says.
