Man drowns trying to save his friend from rough lake waters, Utah officials say

A Utah man drowned after jumping into rough waters to save his friend at Lake Powell, National Park Service officials said.

Seven friends were out boating last weekend in Wahweap Bay on Lake Powell near the Arizona border when one member of the group jumped into the water without a life jacket, Glen Canyon officials said in a news release.

“High winds began while the individual was in the water and they began to struggle,” officials said. “The victim jumped into the water to provide assistance but was not wearing a life jacket and also began to struggle.”

The wind pushed the boat away from the struggling swimmers, according to the park. The friends on the boat threw out a flotation device to two in the water, but they could not grab it.

“A passenger onboard jumped into the water and saved the first swimmer by helping them into a life jacket and grabbed the victim, who was underwater,” the park said. “The victim was moved back onboard the vessel and CPR was administered as he was taken approximately one mile south to the Stateline Launch Ramp.”

The man did not respond to CPR and was pronounced dead at about 8 p.m. Sunday.

The incident is under investigation by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, National Park Service and the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office.

“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,” the park said.