VERNAL — The body of a 34-year-old man who drowned at Red Fleet State Park while helping a child get out of the water has been recovered.
Dustin Peterson, of Uintah County, was boating on Red Fleet Reservoir with family members and friends about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Peterson saw a 6-year-old child “began to struggle in the water,” so he jumped from the boat into the water to help, according to a statement from Utah State Parks and Recreation. Neither Peterson nor the child were wearing a life jacket.
“With Peterson’s assistance, the child was able to be pulled back onto the boat to safety. However, Peterson was unable to remain afloat and keep his head above water. Members of his group then called for help,” according to the statement.
About 10 p.m., members of the Department of Public Safety Dive Team and the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation Remotely Operated Vehicle Team recovered Peterson’s body in about 40 feet of water, park officials said.
Weather was not believed to be a factor in the drowning, and the group was boating in a wakeless area, said state parks spokesman Eugene Swalberg.