West Jordan Man Drowns At Lake Powell
Jun 11, 2020, 5:40 PM | Updated: 7:27 pm
Lake Powell. Courtesy National Park Service.
GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, Utah – A 46-year-old man drowned at Lake Powell over the weekend, according to officials with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service.
Officials identified the victim on Wednesday as Justin Shannon, of West Jordan.
Park rangers said they were dispatched to the Stateline Boat Ramp for a possible drowning around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Seven people were on a private vessel on the lake and witnesses told police one member of the group jumped into the water without a life jacket.
That individual began to struggle, and the victim, who also wasn’t wearing a life jacket, jumped into the water to help, officials said.
Witnesses said the victim also began to struggle, and high winds pushed the boat away from the two. Mechanical issues delayed restarting the vessel and a floatation device was thrown toward the victim.
However, police said the victim was unable to grab the device.
Witnesses told park rangers that another passenger jumped into the water, helped the first individual into a life jacket and grabbed the victim, who was underwater.
“The victim was moved back on board the vessel and CPR was administered as he was taken approximately one mile south to the Stateline Launch Ramp,” officials said.
Two off-duty volunteer firefighters rendered CPR before emergency personnel continued lifesaving efforts, but they were unsuccessful.
The incident is under investigation.
“All boaters are reminded to be aware of changing weather conditions, to immediately seek safe haven in high winds or storms, and to always wear life jackets when boating and recreating on or around water,” officials said.
