PAGE, Ariz. — On Friday, at approximately 3:18 p.m., the National Park Service Glen Canyon Regional Communications Center was alerted of an overturned vessel on Lake Powell near buoy 12 at the mouth of Navajo Canyon within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Coconino County, Arizona.
According to a park service press release, the 25-foot privately owned pontoon vessel was being towed by another boater when waves contributed to the towed vessel capsizing.
“Several of the 11 pontoon passengers became trapped under the overturned vessel,” the media release stated.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Rangers responded immediately and observed a member of the party on top of the pontoon boat and others in the water, with some of the party unaccounted for.
Nearby boaters assisted in retrieving victims out of the water, the media release continued. Emergency medical attention was provided on scene by Glen Canyon Rangers and Page Fire Department personnel.
Two patients were transported by Classic Air Medical helicopter and the Page Fire Department ambulance for further medical treatment.
Melissa Bean, a 72-year-old female and two 4-year-old male children died, park staff reported on Saturday, July 27.
“The National Park Service would like to thank partners at Big Water Fire for assisting dispatch by receiving fire and medical calls, Kane County Sheriff’s Department for assisting in providing information while Glen Canyon NPS Rangers, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and Page Fire Department were responding to the incident,” the media release continued. “The National Park Service and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office express their condolences to the families.”
Officials said the incident is currently under investigation by the National Park Service, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.
No further information is being released at this time.
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