69-year-old man dies from suspected drowning in Deer Creek

DEER CREEK STATE PARK, Utah. — A Salt Lake County man is dead after a suspected drowning incident at Deer Creek State Park on Saturday.

Just after noon on July 3, Utah State Parks rangers and members of the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office responded to the boat ramp after receiving reports of a possible drowning.

The incident occurred near Deer Creek Island. The man, 69-year-old Randall Fern, had been canoeing with four other family members when their boats became swamped. Unable to right their canoes, the group decided to swim to shore.

About 15-feet away from shore, Fern began to struggle to stay above water and was under distress. He was not wearing a life jacket.

A passerby was able to assist in getting Fern on board their boat and to the boat ramp where first-responders were waiting and worked to revive him. Despite their best efforts, Fern was pronounced dead at the scene. The other family members in the group are uninjured.

This incident remains under investigation at this time.

Utah State Parks reminds recreationist that “life jackets are required for each person on a vessel – including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.  Coldwater boating conditions exist, wear your lifejacket!”