COCONINO COUNTY, Arizona, July 27, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Two 4-year-old boys and 72-year-old woman died Friday afternoon in a Lake Powell boating accident.
According to a National Park Service press release, the three victims were among 11 passengers aboard a 25-foot privately owned pontoon vessel when it capsized about 3:18 p.m. while being towed by another boat near the mouth of Navajo Canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
“Several of the eleven passengers became trapped under the overturned vessel,” the NPS press release said.
“Rangers from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area responded immediately and observed a member of the party on top of the pontoon boat and others in the water, with some of the party unaccounted for. Nearby boaters assisted in retrieving victims out of the water,” the NPS said.
Two patients were evacuated from the scene, one by helicopter, the other by ground ambulance. Their conditions were not disclosed.
As of Saturday, the deceased include the two 4-year-old boys and Melissa Bean, the 72-year-old woman, the NPS reported.
“The incident is currently under investigation by the National Park Service, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“No further information is available at this time.”
The National Park Service and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences to the families.
Gephardt Daily will update the story as more information becomes available.
