23-year-old vanishes after jet ski he was riding with cousin flips on Utah lake
A 23-year-old vanished after the jet ski he was riding with his cousin flipped on a Utah lake, according to several reports.
He was last seen riding the wave runner near a marina on Utah Lake before the incident around 5:30 p.m. June 22, Utah County Sheriff Search and Rescue said in a post on Facebook.
The man’s cousin was rescued by someone in another boat, KUTV reported.
Rescuers searched the lake on boats and from the air and found the 23-year-old’s body around 1 a.m. June 23, officials said. Photos show the search on what appear to be choppy waves.
“This is a tragic and unfortunate ending to the course of events from yesterday,” officials said in the post. “We would like to extend our condolences to the family, and per the family’s request we will not be releasing the name of the individual at this time.”
Several people shared that they had been out at the lake that day and witnessed the tragedy unfold.
“I was there with my family fishing… we watched this family go out on their jet skis. It was and is SOO sad,” someone said. “Prayers for the family and especially the cousin who tried so hard to find him. It was heartbreaking to watch.”
Another angler said they had seen the family out on the water and the resulting search and rescue mission.
“Was fishing the point when this happened today. Absolutely terrible,” they said. “Horrible seeing this and not being able to help in any way … Heartbreaking seeing that family just looking out into the water.”
Others shared that winds on the lake can create dangerous conditions without warning.
“That lake is extremely dangerous even on a good day,” someone said.
“The waves were gnarly today when I was there,” someone else shared. “2-3 foot waves. Some higher.”
Officials didn’t say whether the cousins wore life jackets at the time of the incident, but reminded others to wear life vests “any time you are out on the various bodies of water in Utah County.”
Utah Lake is about a 50-mile drive south from Salt Lake City.
This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM with the headline "23-year-old vanishes after jet ski he was riding with cousin flips on Utah lake."
