Paddleboarder, dog fall into reservoir but only dog makes it ashore, Utah cops say
Crews have found the body of a missing paddleboarder who fell into a Utah reservoir with his dog, which made it ashore, officials said.
Two friends reported seeing Matthew Britton, 39, of Taylorsville, and his dog fall from a paddleboard in Rockport Reservoir on the evening on Thursday, July 21, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. Britton was not wearing a life jacket. His dog had one and swam to shore.
The department said it found Britton’s body just before 11 p.m. Thursday.
“Our hearts go out to the Britton family and friends as they grieve the tragic loss of Matthew,” the department said.
Crews made up of multiple agencies searched the reservoir using drones, sonar and helicopters to locate Britton’s body, which was found “underwater approximately 150-200 yards from the shoreline,” according to officials.
The department encouraged anyone participating in water activities to wear a life vest.
Rockport State Park is about 40 miles east of Salt Lake City.
This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Paddleboarder, dog fall into reservoir but only dog makes it ashore, Utah cops say."
