Ogden man drowns in Arizona waterfall

Published: Thursday, July 1 2010 7:21 p.m. MDT

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A Utah man drowned in an Arizona waterfall on Indian reservation land Wednesday.

Michael Allen, 32, was on a camping trip with family members and friends when he went swimming in a pool at the top of Mooney Falls at the bottom of Havasupai Canyon, went under the water and did not resurface. Witnesses say the Ogden man went over the falls and traveled downstream about 200 feet.

The victim's body was then washed downstream from Mooney Falls another 50 to 100 feet and came to rest on the bank.

Detectives for the Coconino County Sheriff's Office in Arizona believe the victim may have become unconscious while in the pool or become tangled in debris under the water.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter flew the detective onto the reservation where the victim's body was recovered and later turned over to the Coconino County medical examiner's office for further investigation.

— Lana Groves

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