The Wasatch County Sheriff reported a 69-year-old Salt Lake City man died at Deer Creek Reservoir Saturday afternoon. He was later identified as Russell Fern, who had been canoeing with family members.
According to the Sheriff, a 911 call was received shortly after 12pm about a possible drowning near Deer Creek Island. Later reports said the family's canoes had become swamped with water, so they decided to swim to shore. About 15 feet from shore, Fern began struggling.
The Sheriff said another recreationist was able to get the man onto their boat and bring him to shore where rescue crews then attempted life-saving measures. He died at the scene.
Sheriff’s deputies, State Parks officers, and Wasatch County fire crews all responded to the call.
According to authorities, Fern was not wearing a lifejacket. The State Medical Examiner will be determining the official cause of death.
Saturday’s death marks the fourth fatality at Deer Creek State Park this year after a teenager and Arizona couple drowned at the reservoir two days apart in June. None of the victims were wearing life jackets.
The Utah Division of Parks & Recreation and Wasatch County Sheriff urged caution and encouraged the use of life-saving flotation devices at local bodies of water.
