MURRAY — It was a tragic day for the friends and family of Joseph and Kelly Glasser on Sunday when the couple drowned while kayaking on the Jordan River.
And some Utah residents who've kept a close eye on recreation on the river say the fatal accident could have been avoided.
Just before 4 p.m. Sunday, the Sandy couple and a friend began kayaking in South Jordan and eventually floated under a bridge near Winchester Street (7200 South) where a 2-foot drop plunges into foamy, circulating water.
After Joseph Glasser, 49, and Kelly Glasser, 51, went over the small waterfall, they became caught in the undertow and were trapped underwater. The couple's friend pulled Joseph Glasser from the water and immediately started CPR.
Murray Water Team Rescue crews that arrived at the scene within minutes and pulled Kelly Glasser from the water. The two were transported to Intermountain Medical Center where they were pronounced dead.
Jeff Salt, executive director of Great Salt Lakekeeper, an organization that has been developing a Water Trail plan that identifies safety hazards along the Jordan River, believes the incident could have been prevented had local governments stepped in with funding to make water recreation along the river safer.
Salt says he's been trying to raise awareness about several dangerous points along the river for the past 10 years, including the one where the Glassers were trapped.
Signs near the bridge warn of the hazard but Salt says it isn't enough.
"The signs are posted on the top of the bank of the river and are completely overgrown with willows and shrubs," he said. "It's completely impossible to see the signs from the river."
The Water Trail plan, which was adopted by Salt Lake County in 2008, has lacked funding to implement changes to the dangerous bridge area and another hazardous spot further downstream at 4600 South where the river hits a low-head dam.
Water flows over the dam and drops four feet, and Salt says if boaters or kayakers go over the dam they could easily drown.
Murray Fire Marshall Russ Groves said he can't recall any incidents along the Jordan River in Murray for at least 5 or 6 years, but he still warns those wanting to kayak on the river to be careful and scope out the area.
For Salt, the latest accident is one too many.
He plans to approach the Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday and remind members of the Water Trail plan.
"We're going to have to learn from this," Salt said. "It's unfortunate it takes the passing of two very wonderful people to clue us in to what the hazard is."
Salt said members of the Jordan River Foundation, which supports the Water Trail plan, are considering collecting donations to help get the ball rolling for needed changes to take place.
e-mail: lgroves@desnews.com