Arizona Boy Dies in Watercraft Accident at Utah State Park

Ethan David Law, 11, was aboard a personal watercraft when it collided with another at Sand Hollow State Park around 1:15 p.m. on Monday.

Each watercraft reportedly carried an adult and two children. All six involved in the accident knew each other and were wearing life jackets.

Witnesses saw a man and two children from one watercraft get thrown into the water during the collision. CPR and first aid were performed until emergency responders rushed them to Dixie Regional Medical Center, according to FOX 13.

 

“Luckily we had some people on shore that heard screaming for help,” Jonathan Hunt, park manager, told ABC 4. “They were able to launch their boat and get out to them quickly, giving them initial first aid.”

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear. But Hunt believes one watercraft bumped into the other.

“It’s kind of your case of a rear-ending but on a boat, where one vehicle slows down and the other does not. They ended up colliding,” the park manager said.

Law was pronounced dead on Tuesday. His father and the second child sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

“The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation extends our condolences to the family and friends impacted by this tragedy,” officials said in a statement, according to The Arizona Republic.

Sand Hollow State Park is located approximately 15 miles (24.14 kilometers) east of St. George, Utah, according to azfamily.com. The incident remains under investigation.

Feature Image via Utah Department of Natural Resources