29-year-old found dead after he’s swept away while cooling off in lake, Utah cops say

A 29-year-old man died after vanishing in a Utah reservoir when he got in the water to cool off, sheriff’s officials reported.

The Nevada man was swept away by the current near a dam’s spillway in Minersville Reservoir just before 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies and other rescuers found the man’s body about 300 yards away following a 20-minute search, the release said.

His name has not been released, pending notification of his family, officials said.

Minersville Reservoir is about 210 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.

What to know about drowning

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.

“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”

This story was originally published July 30, 2023 at 11:11 AM with the headline "29-year-old found dead after he’s swept away while cooling off in lake, Utah cops say."