Thursday, Oct 4, 2007
On Friday, September 28th, a rock slab fell on a boat on Lake Powell, killing one person. The search continues for a second person who is missing and presumed drowned. Park dispatch was contacted by visitors who reported finding the capsized vessel within Lake Canyon. They had reportedly passed the vessel as it sat under a small sandstone alcove approximately 20 minutes earlier and had waved to the two passengers on board. The alcove under which the pontoon boat was located is approximately 20 feet wide by 20 feet high. It appears that the rock slab, approximately 250 cubic feet in size, fractured from the alcove wall and fell on the bow of the boat, causing it to capsize. Rangers Scott Sample and Jennifer VanDragt responded and soon recovered the body of Mary Simmons, 59, of Calhan, Colorado. CPR was performed, but was not successful. She was declared dead at the scene. The park’s underwater recovery team, led by Pat Horning and Rick Moore, is still searching for Donald Simmons, 64, also from Calhan, Colorado. The search is being hampered by poor visibility, the presence of trees underwater, and the water depth, which is estimated at 150 feet. Family members have confirmed that the Simmons were together on a two-week vacation to Lake Powell when the accident occurred. The incident commander is ranger Greg Kouns.
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