15 swimmers, Jet Ski riders, boaters rescued from Sand Hollow Reservoir during windstorm

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ST. GEORGE — Fifteen people were rescued from the chilly waters of Sand Hollow Reservoir on Sunday evening when a windstorm suddenly hit the area.

Shortly before 7 p.m., park rangers responded to the first call that a boat carrying seven individuals, including several minors, was sinking below the surface of the reservoir, Utah State Park Lt. Regan Wilson told St. George News on Monday.

Shortly after the sudden windstorm hit, Wilson said, the water became rough and choppy. The boat reportedly started to take on water and within minutes, he said, the bilge pump designed to remove excess water from the boat became overwhelmed and stopped working. This caused the vessel to fill with water as it sank below the surface.

Multiple agencies responded, and the boaters were pulled from the turbulent waters while a Washington County Search and Rescue dive team assist in the recovery of the submerged boat. As it was pulled to shore, Wilson said, the water was removed from the vessel, which sustained extensive damage from being submerged and was a total loss.

Read the full article at St. George News.