GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, Utah, July 26, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A Cedar City man drowned at Lake Powell after diving to try and retrieve a boat anchor in approximately 10 feet of water and becoming entangled in the rope.
A news release from the National Park Service said the incident occurred Wednesday at 11:24 a.m. when Glen Canyon National Recreation Area dispatch received a call of a possible drowning in the Warm Creek Canyon area of Lake Powell.
National Park Service rangers responding from Wahweap Marina arrived on the scene at 11:36 a.m. and located the person that had made the call.
Witnesses relayed that the victim, a 47-year-old man from Cedar City, was attempting to retrieve a boat anchor in 10 feet of water approximately 30 feet from the shore.
“He was not wearing a life jacket and did not resurface after diving for the anchor,” the news release said. “Family members dove into the water in attempts to rescue but were unsuccessful.”
During the initial response, National Park Service rangers retrieved the anchor line and found the victim entangled.
Rangers began resuscitation efforts which continued during transport to Wahweap Marina where assistance was provided by Page Fire Department, Utah State Parks and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim was transferred by Page Fire Department Ambulance to Page Hospital where he was declared deceased. He will be transported to the Coconino County coroner for an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
The case is still under investigation; the victim’s identity will not be released until family members have been notified.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
