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SALEM, Utah, July 18, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A Utah County Boy Scout leader lost his life Wednesday in Salem Lake after pushing a troop member to safety.
The 22-year-old victim, leader of a Utah County troop sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brought his Scouts from another Utah County community to Salem to practice basic swimming techniques so they could qualify for swimming merit badges.
“He was with a young man who was struggling, and he pushed the boy toward the shore,” Chief Brad James, Salem Police Department, told Gephardt Daily.
“He never resurfaced. But he did save the life of that young man.”
James said the boys in the troop were ages 10 and 11.
Officials were called to the scene at about 7 p.m., and multiple divers were assigned to the search. The victim was found sometime around 8 p.m.
“He was transported to Mountain View Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead,” James said.
The victim’s name has not yet been released, nor has the specific community he was from, James said, adding that his department wanted to notify people involved before the news was released.
“He died, but he did it saving a life,” James said.
