Utah man drowns while rescuing son at Willard Bay State Park, amid stormy weather

Ashley Fredde, KSL.com

WILLARD, Utah (KSL.com) — A 38-year-old man died while rescuing his boy during stormy upwind astatine Willard Bay State Park connected Saturday.

About 4:20 p.m., Andre Leon Debose, of Layton, was swimming and boating pinch his 17-year-old boy astatine nan authorities parkland erstwhile stormy upwind began impacting nan h2o adjacent Eagle Beach. The 17-year-old boy noticed a 19-year-old female struggling to aquatics and jumped into nan h2o to help.

The female was wearing a life overgarment and was capable to beryllium brought backmost aboard nan vessel safely but Debose’s boy began to struggle successful nan water. Witnesses reported that Debose jumped from nan vessel to thief his son. While successful nan water, Debose and his boy some held onto 1 life overgarment but Debose went nether nan h2o and did not resurface.

The 17-year-old boy was capable to make it backmost onto nan vessel and was later treated by aesculapian responders connected nan scene, according to Utah State Parks officials.

Utah State Parks rule enforcement rangers instantly responded to nan area to statesman hunt efforts on pinch he Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation ROV Team, Box Elder County Search and Rescue and Weber County Search and Rescue. About 11:15 p.m., emergency crews were capable to retrieve Debose’s assemblage from nan water.

Debose’s decease marks nan 2nd drowning astatine Willard Bay State Park wrong nan week.

“As nan recreation play continues, we impulse each outdoor recreators to prioritize safety. Always recreate pinch a buddy, deterioration a life jacket, and stay alert of upwind conditions. Ensure personification knows your location and expected return time,” advised Devan Chavez, Utah State Parks subordinate director, successful a statement.