Boy dies after being pulled from Provo River in swift water rescue

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A boy who fell into the Provo River, which was running at 177% of normal, died at the hospital after he was pulled from the waters during a swift water rescue.

The 12-year-old fell into the river near the popular Bridal Veil Falls in Utah County around 1:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon, according to the Utah County Sheriff's Office.

The victim was visiting Utah with his family, the sheriff's office stated Saturday evening.

Search and rescue teams were deployed and were able to pull the boy from the water approximately half an hour later. The 12-year-old was then transported to the hospital.

UCSO announced the boy's death in a statement released just after 7 p.m.

During the rescue, a first responder's hands were injured when he was attempting to secure a rope used in the rescue, UCSO said. The rope was pulled while he was gripping it, burning his hands in the process.

According to the sheriff's office, the boy was traveling about 10 - 12 miles per hour. He was rescued in Orem near the mouth of the canyon approximately four miles downstream from where he fell in.

Authorities have not publicly identified the child.

RELATED REPORTS

• Authorities stress safety concerns as water levels peak in areas of Salt Lake County
• Search and rescue underway for possible missing woman at Horsetail Falls trail in Alpine
• Body of missing 19-year-old hiker recovered at Horsetail Falls near Alpine

As of the publishing of this article, it wasn't known what type of injuries the boy sustained, or what ultimately led to his death.

It wasn't known from where he and his family were visiting.

The sheriff's office on Friday warned residents and visitors to "be cautious"about high waterin the area, writing in a statement posted to its social media that "there my be minor flooding along the Provo River over the next few days."

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi warned on her social media Saturday evening that the river was "running at a very fast rate throughout the entire county," telling recreationists to stay clear of the water.

"It is EXTREMELY dangerous to recreate anywhere nearby - PLEASE STAY AWAY," according to an X post, shared verbatim across multiple social media platforms by the mayor, the Provo Police Department and Provo Fire and Rescue. "Consider alternative locations until the flow returns to normal. If you do visit parks or trails along the Provo River, stay at least 40 feet away from riverbanks."

__________