Teen resuscitated in a close call at Jordanelle, Married couple dies after swimming incident at Deer Creek

Jordanelle State Park Reservoir in Wasatch County, Utah. Photo: Jordanelle State Park

JORDANELLE STATE PARK, Utah. — Officials responded to a call for help on Sunday afternoon at Jordanelle State Park involving three individuals all utilizing a single floatation pool toy. While swimming with the group, a 14-year-old girl began to struggle in the water and continued going under.

Beach-goers who witnessed the incident swam out to assist in bringing her to shore. Those assisting immediately began CPR and the girl was revived without further incident and was later cleared at a nearby hospital. She was not wearing a life jacket.

Separately, a married Arizona couple has passed away following an incident at Deer Creek State Park on Sunday, June 20.

Just before noon, Utah State Parks rangers responded to an area of the reservoir off the main state park entrance. A man, 72-year-old David D. McMillan from Arizona, had been swimming with family off a pontoon boat. While swimming, David and an adult family member began to struggle to keep their heads above the water. Seeing this, David’s wife, 59-year-old Catherine McMillan, jumped in the water to assist and then also began to struggle. None of the three were wearing life jackets.

During the incident, a passerby with EMS training assisted responding park rangers in retrieving the three individuals from the water and administering first aid and CPR. Both David and Catherine were facedown in the water when help arrived, according to Utah State Parks Blog.

The group was transported to the state park boat ramp, where first responders from Utah State Parks — along with Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue — continued working to revive them.

Both David and Catherine McMillan were transported to nearby hospitals, but were both pronounced dead shortly after. The additional family member is expected to fully recover from her injuries.

This incident remains under investigation at this time.