Authorities Identify Kayaker Who Died After Flipping on the Jordan River
Jun 13, 2019, 9:51 PM | Updated: Jun 14, 2019, 1:43 pm
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah – A kayaker who flipped his kayak on the Jordan River in Taylorsville has died.
Brent Parkin was with a friend on the water when they approached a spillway near 4800 south.
When the Parkin went over the spillway, his kayak flipped over, and the force of the water kept him from being able to get out, according to Unified Police Detective Ken Hansen.
His friend was able to pull him out of the water, began CPR, and called 911.
When Unified Fire paramedics arrived, they also began CPR and started transporting Parkin to a local hospital in critical condition, but he later died.
“I’ve seen a couple of incidents of drowning on the Jordan River where they hit a bridge or a spillway or there’s water coming in from another source that makes it more turbulent. But this, apparently, just flipped the kayak and he wasn’t able to get out of the water in time,” said Det. Hansen. “Unfortunately, this is not a good ending.
Detective Hansen said the two kayakers were hoping to make it to the North Temple part of the Jordan River.
He wasn’t sure where they put in.
It’s also unknown if Parkin was wearing a life jacket.