A father who saved his son from drowning has died, marking the second death at Willard Bay State Park within a week, authorities in Utah said.
Andre Leon Debose, 38, and his 17-year-old son were boating and swimming on the afternoon of Aug. 10 when stormy weather hit the state park located 50 miles north of Salt Lake City.
The series of events began when Debose’s son witnessed a 19-year-old woman struggling in the water. He jumped in to help her, authorities said. The woman, who was wearing a life jacket, safely boarded the boat.
But the son himself began to struggle in the water, this time prompting his father to jump from the boat to help him. While both in the water, the father and the son held onto one life jacket, according to officials.
The son eventually returned to the boat, but Debose never resurfaced.
State park rangers, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Remotely Operated Vehicle Team, Box Elder County Search and Rescue, and Weber County Search and Rescue were called to the scene.
Around 11:15 p.m., emergency crews recovered Debose’s body from the water.
His son was medically cleared at the scene.
Second Death Within a Week
A similar incident involving a father and son happened the weekend before, according to authorities.
Robert Mittendorf, 51, was also swimming with his son when a “sudden storm swept through the area” on Aug. 4, according to a press release. They eventually became separated from their boat. Neither was wearing a life jacket.
His son was able to swim back to get a life jacket for his father. Mittendorf, however, went underwater and did not resurface.
Following the two deaths, the Utah Division of State Parks warned about the dangers of unexpected bad weather and swimming without life jackets.
“As the recreation season continues, we urge all outdoor recreators to prioritize safety. Always recreate with a buddy, wear a life jacket, and remain aware of weather conditions. Ensure someone knows your location and expected return time,” authorities advised.
According to the official website, Willard Bay State Park consists of two separate marinas next to Willard Bay. The freshwater reservoir contains warm water, making it a popular spot for boating, swimming, water skiing, and fishing.
A “boating safety” note on the website states that children under the age of 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in the boat on the water, in addition to those on a personal watercraft or a vessel 16 feet or longer. State park guests who venture out to river sections that are not designated as flatwater are also required to wear a life vest, according to the guidelines.
Utah law also requires one life jacket for each person aboard a vessel to be “readily accessible.”