Search For Missing Brothers At Strawberry Reservoir Enters Day 2
Jul 19, 2019, 2:07 PM
STRAWBERRY RESERVOIR, Utah – Crews continued the search for two brothers who have been missing since Thursday when their boat was discovered unoccupied and with the motor still running at the shore of a Wasatch County reservoir.
The Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby said teams are being more aggressive in the search Friday. Authorities added extra teams from the Department of Public Safety, and they are using equipment with sonar technology.
A shoe and hat were discovered in the water and on the shore Thursday, but Friday’s search had warranted no new finds.
Crews heading back out after some shift switches from searching all night for two brothers missing at Strawberry Reservoir. We are expecting an update at 10:45 from @WasatchCountySD pic.twitter.com/kYL3NhDSAQ
— Felicia Martinez (@FeliciaNews) July 19, 2019
According to family, the brothers frequented the reservoir and preferred to fish an area in the northeast portion of the lake known as The Ladders. It’s the same area where the boat was found, and the water is approximately 80 feet deep on average.
Authorities have closed The Ladders portion of Strawberry Reservoir while they search.
The identities of the two men have not yet been released, but the sheriff’s office said one is 61 years old and lives in Pleasant Grove, and the other is 70 years old and lives in Salem.
It’s unclear if the two men were wearing life preservers.
WATCH: Wasatch County Sheriff’s Press Conference
IN PROGRESS: Wasatch County Sheriff's Office holds press conference
IN PROGRESS: Wasatch County Sheriff's Office holds press conference with updates on the missing brothers at Strawberry Reservoir
Posted by KSL 5 TV on Friday, July 19, 2019
The initial search began Thursday afternoon when a boater spotted what appeared to be an abandoned boat floating away from shore at approximately 1 p.m.. An hour later, the person saw the boat again at the shore and called 911.
“When we got to the boat, it was somewhat beached on the shore,” Rigby said. “The boat motor was running, fishing equipment was set up, and there was a fish on one of the poles. One of the nets the family says should be there was not.”
The sheriff said authorities are working out several theories, one of which is that something may have happened to the brothers as they were trying to net a fish. However, he said there is no evidence to indicate there was any type of foul play.
Rigby said the men did many things right. They went to an area they were familiar with, they told people where they were going and when they planned to return, and they had life jackets on board.
‘s families have been strong and helpful in the search. They remained near the reservoir overnight.
The northeast portion of the lake remains closed.
