Fatal summer incidents renew water safety warnings

A series of drowning and boating deaths at two of southern Utah’s most popu­lar recreation destinations has officials urging visitors to take precautions on the water.

Sand Hollow Reservoir in Washington County. Three drowning fatalities have been recorded at the state park this summer, prompting renewed water safety warnings from officials. Photo by J. Phillip Krone.

Sand Hollow State Park recorded its third drown­ing fatality of the summer Thursday, August 6, when a 19-year-old Nevada man went underwater near the park’s dive area. Officials said he was not wearing a life jacket.

“These circumstances should never feel normal, and people shouldn’t just expect to see drownings,” Utah Department of Natu­ral Resources Capt. Chase Pili told KSL.

A 22-year-old Michigan man drowned May 28, while swimming with friends near the dive park.

On Saturday, July 25, 27-year-old Brayan Jho­natan Miranda Ramos became fatigued while swimming and was pulled unconscious from the reser­voir. He died several days later.

Fatal incidents have also occurred at Lake Powell.

On Friday, June 26, 30-year-old Vi-Thien Ha of Kearns was swimming near Castle Rock when strong winds pushed a boat away from him and another swimmer. Neither was wearing a life jacket. Ha disappeared underwater and his body was recovered the following morning.

On Thursday, July 30, a child fell from the front of a moving boat near Ante­lope Point Marina and was struck by the vessel, accord­ing to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. The child later died at Page Hospital.

Officials have not attrib­uted the incidents to any single cause but continue to emphasize preparation and flotation devices.

Sand Hollow, Utah’s most visited state park, has recorded more than 1.4 million visitors since July 2025. State officials say increased recreation also brings increased opportunities for accidents.

Life jackets are avail­able to borrow free at Sand Hollow. Officials recommend swimming with others, avoiding overexertion, checking conditions and letting someone know where you plan to recreate.

“We want people to enjoy the time out in the water and be able to return safely home,” Utah State Parks com­munications specialist Ally O’Rullian said.