Man apparently drowns at Steinaker

VERNAL — A 19-year-old man died in an apparent drowning at Steinaker State Park.

The man and a friend were playing on an inner tube in Steinaker Reservoir at about 3 p.m. Friday, according to Uintah County Sheriff's Cpl. Brian Fletcher, when the tube got away from the pair.

The men were swimming toward the tube, Fletcher said, when the victim's friend said he lost sight of the man.

Emergency crews found the man's body at about 4:30 p.m. in 10 to 12 feet of water, Fletcher said.

The victim's name is not being released, pending notification of his family. His body is being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.

— Geoff Liesik