Leader drowns after saving scout from pond
Jul 19, 2018, 7:52 AM | Updated: 12:15 pm
SALEM — Police say a Boy Scout leader drowned after he helped another boy in the water at Salem Pond.
He is identified as 22-year-old Wesley Robert Kratzer, from Orem.
Salem Police say that the group was at the pond at around 7 pm Wednesday night, working on a swimming technique for the First Class requirements.
One of the 10 or 11-year-old scouts started to struggle. That’s when the leader jumped in to help.
Chief Brad James says Kratzer went under the water after helping the boy and did not resurface.
“I mean, it’s unfortunate. It really is. Obviously, the leaders are shook up, the scouts are shook up. And we may not know for sure why he went under,” he said
Chief James says the water was murky in the area. Divers were able to get Kratzer out nearly an hour later, but he could not be saved.
