Tragic Boat Incident at Grantsville Reservoir: One Confirmed Dead, One Missing
Grantsville, UT – April 25, 2025 — A devastating incident unfolded Friday afternoon at Grantsville Reservoir in Tooele County, as search and rescue teams scrambled to locate victims after a boat reportedly sank. Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) later confirmed the tragic news that one person had died, while another individual remained missing.
According to Sheriff Paul Wimmer of the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were still working tirelessly at 2:30 p.m., trying to rescue any survivors who may have been on board the vessel when it sank. The identity of the victims has not yet been released, and details surrounding the cause of the incident remain scarce as investigators continue their work.
Jon Smith, a spokesperson for the North Tooele Fire District and a host for 103.5 The Arrow, reported to KSL NewsRadio that the Grantsville Reservoir was temporarily closed to all recreational activities to allow for uninterrupted search and rescue operations. Multiple agencies were involved in the efforts, including local fire departments, the Utah Highway Patrol, and other specialized rescue teams, all working collaboratively to locate the missing person and determine the circumstances of the boat’s sudden sinking.
The Grantsville Reservoir, which is located in eastern Tooele County, is a smaller water body with a maximum depth of around 150 feet. The relatively shallow nature of the reservoir compared to other bodies of water in the region makes the ongoing search even more critical, as rescuers work to cover every inch of the water.
In a report provided by Jon Smith, he described the search efforts, saying, “Right now, we have two search and rescue teams out on rafts, searching the reservoir in a grid pattern. We don’t exactly know what we’re looking for yet, but we are doing everything we can to locate any potential victims and recover them.” Smith further indicated that UHP divers were being deployed, and a drone would also be utilized to assist in the aerial search, hoping to gain a clearer view of the water’s surface and any potential clues that might help locate the missing person.
As of late Friday afternoon, the search was still ongoing, and too early to confirm whether there are any additional victims on the boat. Emergency responders have been working against time as they attempt to recover the missing individual and confirm the full extent of the tragedy.
The community around Grantsville, which is known for its outdoor recreational activities, is in shock after hearing the news of the accident. Local residents who frequent the reservoir for fishing, boating, and other activities are now reeling from the sudden loss, hoping for a swift resolution to the search efforts.
While many questions remain unanswered, authorities have pledged to continue working diligently and coordinating with various agencies to ensure the search concludes safely and thoroughly. As a part of the investigation, UHP and local law enforcement will also be working to determine the cause of the boat’s sinking, whether it was mechanical failure, human error, or another factor that led to the tragic accident.
As search efforts continue, local officials are urging the public to avoid the area to give emergency crews the space they need to work efficiently. The closure of the reservoir remains in effect as of the latest reports, and updates on the situation will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.
This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided when further details are confirmed.
