Southern Utah teenager dies in digging accident at state park in Kanab

KANAB, Utah — A southern Utah teenager died in a digging accident on Saturday at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Park rangers say they were notified just after 5:30 p.m. of an ongoing incident just outside the campground area. According to the park rangers, a 13-year-old boy from Santa Clara had become trapped under the sand. They believe the boy was digging a tunnel in the side of a sand dune when it collapsed with him inside. 

A family member who witnessed the incident along with several other park visitors and park staff began digging for the young victim.

Park rangers say the victim was found at 5:53 p.m. He was roughly 6 1/2 feet under the sand. 

Life-saving procedures were performed on the victim until a pulse was confirmed. He was transported by helicopter to St. George Regional Hospital. And later, he was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. 

However, the victim passed away on Sunday after not regaining any brain activity.

The Utah Division of State Parks would like to remind all those planning trips into Utah’s outdoors in the near future, that safety needs to be a top priority. 

To learn more safety tips, click here.

Read more:

• Additional boat ramp closures announced at Utah State Parks
• Utah State Parks expect lots of visitors Memorial Day weekend

 

 

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