A swimmer drowned Sunday evening at Deer Creek Reservoir in Wasatch County.
On Sunday around 2 p.m., Wasatch County Dispatch received a 911 call with a report that a swimmer in the Rainbow Bay area at Deer Creek State Park was struggling to keep his head above water. The man, 24-year-old Jose Antonio Fuentes-Alvarez of Salt Lake County, drowned shortly after.
Three members of the man’s family attempted to swim out to help Fuentes-Alvarez, but were unable to assist him. Local law enforcement and state park employees were able to help the three family members back to shore.
Wasatch Search and Rescue, Summit Search and Rescue and Utah State Parks all began to recover the man as soon as they arrived on the scene. At 10 p.m., his body was discovered using an underwater vehicle and Wasatch County Search and Rescue divers were able to recover his remains.
State Parks reports the man was about 80 yards from the shore at a depth of 16 feet. He was not wearing a life jacket.
The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation cautioned that swimming in outdoor water bodies can be unpredictable as waves, depth and water temperature can change quickly. They recommend wearing a life jacket and refraining from swimming alone.
The division and local search and rescue extended their condolences to Fuentes-Alvarez's friends and family.