A 17 year old Salt Lake man drowned in the Deer Creek Reservoir Thursday.
According to Utah State, Parks, 17 year old Fernando Botello Arredondo was swimming when he suddenly went underwater and didn’t resurface. The water in the area where he was playing was between 4 and 8 feet deep.
About 4:45 p.m. Utah State Park Rangers responded to the Island Beach Day use are of Deer Creek State Park after receiving a call for help. Rescue crews located the young man about 7:30 p.m. when he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not believed to have been using inflatable water toys or wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.
The accident occurred on the east side of the island, which is currently accessible – due to the low lake levels.
In a statement from the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Department, with many people and families headed to Utah reservoirs, including the four in Wasatch County for Father’s Day weekend, those recreating in the water are urged to wear life jackets, be aware of their personal limitations, and plan accordingly.
