Nevada man drowns at Panguitch Lake

PANGUITCH — A Nevada man drowned Wednesday after his boat overturned at southern Utah's Panguitch Lake.

Kenneth Alan Medberry, 52, of Las Vegas, and a friend were thrown into the water when a tangled anchor line pulled their boat over, said Garfield County sheriff's spokeswoman Becki Bronson.

The two men were fishing when the accident occurred about noon. Swimming in the 40-degree water, the friend was able to make it to shore, but Medberry was overcome and drowned, Bronson said.

Paramedics arrived about 30 minutes later but were unable to revive Medberry, Bronson said. The friend was treated for hypothermia at Garfield Memorial Hospital and later released.

Garfield County Sheriff Danny Perkins said while there were life vests in the boat, neither man was wearing a vest when the boat overturned.

"With Memorial Day weekend coming up, we are very concerned that the thousands who come to our county to enjoy the outdoors use every safety precaution," he said. "If you are fishing, rafting, canoeing, or doing anything near the water, please remember to put a life vest on yourself and put one on each family member, as well."

— Josh Smith