ST. GEORGE — A man was pronounced dead at Quail Creek State Park late Friday afternoon following a suspected paddle-boarding accident.
The incident occurred sometime before 4:40 p.m. when it is believed strong winds blowing through the area pushed the man and two others off their paddle boards, Devan Chavez, associated director of the Utah Division of State Parks, told St. George News.
Two of the individuals were able to make it back to shore while the third, a man in his 40s who has yet to be identified, was brought to shore by a ranger who found the man “face down in the water.”
The man and other were reported to not have been wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.
Responders proceeded to perform lifesaving measures while the Intermountain Lifeflight helicopter was called in to transport the man. However, he was pronounced dead by 5:15 p.m., Chavez said.
As to the cause of death, Chavez said he could not confirm if it was due to the man drowning or experiencing a medical issue.
The condition of the others involved also is also unknown as the investigation into the incident is ongoing, Chavez added.
This report is based on preliminary statements from law enforcement and state officials and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Ed. note: An earlier version of this story reported the man and others involved in the accident were on a paddle boat when they were on paddle boards instead. This has been corrected.
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