12-year-old boy dies after falling into Provo River near Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls (Utah) on Feb 14, 2024. Photo: Matthew A. Robinson

PROVO, Utah — KSL reported that a 12-year-old boy from Arizona, visiting Utah with his family, tragically passed away after falling into the Provo River near Bridal Veil Falls on Saturday afternoon. The incident prompted a massive rescue operation involving multiple agencies.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office reported that the boy fell into the river around 1:45 PM. The rescue operation culminated near 800 North and University Avenue in Orem, where an Orem swift-water rescue firefighter jumped into the water and pulled the boy out roughly four miles downstream from where he initially fell in.

Despite the rescue efforts, the boy, who was in the water for approximately 30 minutes, could not be revived. He was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The operation saw the collaboration of Utah County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Provo Fire & Rescue, Unified Fire Authority, American Fork Fire & Rescue, Orem Fire Department, Saratoga Springs Fire & Rescue, and Pleasant Grove City Fire Department, among others.

The exact circumstances that led to the boy falling into the river remain unclear.

This incident highlights the dangers associated with the current swift-water environments.