Man dies after falling through ice in Uintah County
Feb 19, 2022, 3:35 PM
File photo
UINTAH COUNTY, Utah — A 52-year-old man has died after authorities say he fell through the ice while fishing at Steinaker Reservoir.
Officials with the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. Saturday.
“Witnesses reported hearing the man yell and seeing his dog jump in the water, but when they got over to the area where he went in, they couldn’t find him,” read a Facebook post from the agency.
Uintah County Search and Rescue teams were able to rescue the dog, but unfortunately, the man was found dead about five to six feet from where he fell through the ice.
The victim was identified Saturday afternoon as 52-year-old Travis Hanchett, of Vernal.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of Travis. This was a very unfortunate accident.”
The Sheriff’s Office then urged people in their post to be extremely cautious while out on frozen lakes and waterways.
“With warming temperatures, we urge everyone to use extreme caution on frozen lakes and waterways as ice levels in some areas are beginning to thin, especially near reservoir inlets.”
