3-year-old dies in boating accident at Echo Reservoir

COALVILLE, Summit County — A young child has died following an accident while boating with his family at Echo Reservoir on Sunday.

At about 4:45 p.m., Walter Greer, 3, of Salt Lake City, fell off the boat and was “struck” by the propeller, said Devan Chavez, spokesman for the Utah Division of State Parks. The boy was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.

Multiple agencies, including a medical helicopter, responded to the reservoir to assist, but, “unfortunately, he had passed away,” Chavez said.

“This is the last thing a family wants to see happen when they come to a reservoir or a state park or anything like that,” he said. “Our thoughts are with all the friends and family members who are impacted by this.”

Chavez said officials “believe this to be a very unfortunate and tragic accident” and no foul play, drugs or alcohol use is suspected. The accident will remain under investigation to determine what might have caused the boy to fall from the boat. But, Chavez said he doesn’t think the accident Sunday could have been prevented.

“He was with friends and family out here trying to have a good time,” he said. “This is one of those ones that is very tragic, very unfortunate and just the last thing that any park ranger, park staff or even a first responder … or family member going out to have a good time is wanting to have happen to them.”