A weekend outing on Lake Powell turned tragic when a 30-year-old man from Kearns drowned Friday after strong winds pushed his boat out of reach, authorities said. The man and his companion had stopped near Castle Rock for a swim when gusts blew their vessel away, leaving him struggling in the water. His body was recovered the next morning as Kane County deputies and National Park Service crews renewed calls for boaters to wear life jackets.
What happened
According to KSL, the victims were identified as Vi‑Thien Ha, 30, of Kearns, and Ember Gonsalves, 25, of Logan. The pair had stopped their boat near Castle Rock and gone into the water to swim. KSL reports that neither was wearing a life jacket when strong winds carried the vessel away. Gonsalves managed to climb back onboard and called 911, but Ha did not resurface.
Crews used sonar to locate Ha in about 30 feet of water and recovered his body the next morning. His remains were transferred to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office, the Kane County Sheriff's Office said.
Search and safety context
The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area regularly warns visitors that gusty winds, cold water and an ever-changing shoreline can make Lake Powell far more dangerous than it looks. Rangers have previously relied on side‑scan sonar and dive teams during recovery efforts in the sprawling reservoir.
Officials advise wearing life jackets at all times on the water, seeking shelter quickly when high winds kick up and planning ahead for rescues that may be delayed in remote areas, per Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Local agencies say the Kane County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation while the Utah State Medical Examiner conducts an autopsy.
What officials say and what to know
The Kane County Sheriff's Office used the incident as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions at Lake Powell can turn dangerous and again stressed the importance of life jackets and safe boating practices, according to KSL. Authorities say visitors heading to Lake Powell should check weather forecasts, ensure there is a life jacket for every person on board and avoid swimming away from a vessel when winds are strong.
Park websites also list safety resources, updates and alerts for specific launch areas and marinas, and officials urge visitors to review them before heading out on the water.
