Three Drownings, Another Rescue Reported At Utah Reservoirs Over The Weekend
Jun 21, 2021, 6:45 AM | Updated: 9:17 am
HEBER CITY, Utah — A couple from Arizona reportedly drowned at Deer Creek Reservoir and a 37-year-old man died after officials said he attempted to swim out to his son on Pineview Reservoir and drowned over the weekend.
Authorities also responded to Jordanelle Reservoir, where Utah State Parks Rangers said a 14-year-old girl needed CPR Sunday afternoon.
Arizona Couple Drowns At Deer Creek
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said search and rescue crews responded to Deek Creek after being notified about the two Arizona adults Sunday morning.
Officials said 72-year-old David D. McMillan was swimming with another family member off a pontoon boat when they began to struggle.
“Seeing this, David’s wife, 59-year-old Catherine McMillan, jumped in the water to assist and then also began to struggle,” park rangers said. “None of the three were wearing life jackets.”
Family members reportedly told authorities they witnessed the couple go under the water and “not surface for an extended period of time.”
A witness assisted rangers in retrieving the three from the water and beginning CPR. David and Catherine McMillan were face down when help arrived, and they were transported to a nearby hospital.
Officials said they died shortly thereafter and an official cause of death will be established by the state medical examiner’s office.
The third family member is expected to fully recover from her injuries.
Man Drowns At Pineview Reservoir
A 37-year-old man died Sunday after officials said he attempted to swim out to his son on Pineview Reservoir and drowned.
Deputies with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews responded to the Middle Inlet area shortly before 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Witnesses told KSL high winds picked up just before the incident happened.
“It hit and it came in strong,” one bystander said. “You could see white caps on the shore. And I’m just guessing that the swimmer was overcome by the waves from the wind storm.”
Another bystander was able to help bring the victim’s child back to shore and the victim’s body was recovered after hours of searching.
Close Call Reported At Jordanelle Reservoir
And at Jordanelle, park rangers responded to an incident Sunday afternoon involving three individuals who were utilizing a single flotation device.
“While swimming with the group, a 14-year-old girl began to struggle in the water and continued going under,” officials said. “She was not wearing a life jacket.”
Beachgoers who witnessed the incident assisted in bringing the girl back to shore and began CPR, “and the girl was revived without further incident and was later cleared at a nearby hospital.”
Officials reminded those who are venturing into the outdoors to always stay on guard and to make safety a top priority –remember to wear a life jacket and ensure children are wearing their life jackets.
