Carbon County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
On Aug. 23 at approximately 6:50 p.m., members of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Helper Rescue 3, Carbon County Ambulance, Utah State Parks officers and search and rescue dive team responded to a report of a capsized canoe with three occupants. One of the occupants was in distress on the north end of Scofield Reservoir.
Deputies spoke to several witnesses who saw the subject in the water calling for help. Several people from the area responded in boats, but were unable to locate the subject. One subject stayed with the canoe and the other made it to shore.
The investigation determined that three adult males were fishing in a 14 foot canoe. Due to movement in the canoe, it capsized. They attempted to upright the canoe, but were unsuccessful. There were no life jackets in the canoe. The victim did attempt to swim to shore.
Upon arrival of the Utah State Parks officers and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office dive members, a search began immediately. With the side sonar equipment on the Utah State Parks boat, the victim was located at 12:02 a.m. approximately 100 feet from shore in water depth of 20 feet. Dive team members were able to recover the victim and he was transported to shore.
The victim was identified as Jaran Cruz, 33 of Herriman. He was transported to the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office for examination.