Water rescues cause of concern for Sheriff

Helicopter helps with Emery County Rescue
On Thursday afternoon, June 1, Emery County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a satellite phone call from a man reporting that he and his wife were floating the San Rafael River and their canoe had capsized. He stated that he was able to make it to shore, but his wife was missing.
ECSO personnel and Emery County Search and Rescue were immediately dispatched to the area between Fuller’s Bottom and Swinging Bridge. Men were positioned in the river, in side canyons along the river, and from overlook areas. The Department of Public Safety helicopter was dispatched from Salt Lake City and landed at ECSO to pick up an Emery County search and rescue member.
The helicopter located the woman in the river eight miles from where the canoe had capsized. The woman was wearing a life jacket and had been able to hold onto the canoe the entire time. Based on when ECSO received the initial call, the woman had been in the cold water for around four hours. Quick response by ECSO and search and rescue personnel in addition to the DPS helicopter made for a happy ending to a very dangerous situation. Emery County residents and visitors are fortunate to have skilled response personnel in Emery County and to have the support of the State DPS helicopter.
Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk said he couldn’t be prouder of his deputies and search and rescue for helping out in this serious situation. “With the high water I think you will be able to run the San Rafael until about August. We urge those floating the river to take every precaution. Most of them are using canoes that are designed for lakes. The users aren’t familiar with the river and they are being swept under the ledges. This will cause the canoe to capsize. The water is moving very swiftly and is very cold. Always wear a life jacket. This is a remote part of the county and by the time we can respond a situation has usually taken care of itself or turns bad. Plan on at least six hours to make the trip,” said Sheriff Funk.