LOCAL NEWS

After drownings, Tooele first responders training with new water rescue equipment

Jan 21, 2025, 5:27 PM | Updated: 6:26 pm

TOOELE, Utah – First responders in Tooele have a whole new set of tools for ice and water rescues that includes a submersible. The county invested in the equipment after recent drownings that led to the closure of a popular reservoir.

The Settlement Canyon Irrigation Company said they simply can’t keep people off the ice, and that’s when tragedy strikes. First responders who were at these tragic scenes said it’s taxing and difficult to do these rescues and recoveries.

It’s not the first time signs have gone up at Settlement Canyon Reservoir warning people to stay off the ice. Tooele City Deputy Fire Chief Jed Colovich is a first responder who rushes to the rescue when things go wrong.

In February 2023, police body camera footage captured the commotion when two teens fell in the reservoir through the ice. Only one survived, and 14-year-old Jayden Davis was killed.

“A lot of the responders know the family of Jayden that fell in the reservoir,” Colovich said.

New water rescue equipment

After multiple deadly water incidents, Tooele County Fire Chief Dan Walton said they wanted to help step up its water rescue program. A submersible remotely operated vehicle was added to the first responders tool belt, with a claw that can grab ahold of someone or something weighing up to 200 lbs.

“As quick as we can get to the shoreline and plug all of these pieces together, we can get it in the water and have it start going,” Walton said. “If it’s too murky to see with the flood lights and the camera, we can actually get a picture of what we’re looking at through the sonar.”

Multiple people in the county are learning how to operate the submersible, and several more are certified to teach ice rescue.

“Our rescue ropes, our ice rescue suits, our boogie boards, or rescue slings,” Walton said, listing the equipment necessary during ice and water rescues.

Despite having the equipment needed, first responders are often working against the clock.

“It can be, you know, 20, 30, 40 minutes before rescuers are even called,” Sgt. Shawn Sagers, with the Tooele Police Department, said.

Responders advise people to be as safe as possible to avoid being in an emergency situation.

“When the ice isn’t safe, we appreciate people staying off of it,” Colovich said.

The irrigation company told KSL TV the closure is temporary, and plans to post updates on its Facebook page.

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After drownings, Tooele first responders training with new water rescue equipment