Dog tries to save fisherman who plunged through ice into Utah lake, officials say

A 52-year-old man died after plunging through the ice into a reservoir near Vernal, Utah, while fishing, Utah sheriff’s officials reported.

Travis Hanchett of Vernal fell into Steinaker Reservoir at 9:14 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter.

Onlookers heard Hanchett yell and saw his dog jump in the freezing water after him, sheriff’s officials wrote. Rescuers saved the dog but could not find Hanchett.

His body was found 10 feet underwater at 10:50 a.m. about six feet from where he fell through the ice, officials said.

“With warming temperatures, we urge everyone to use extreme caution on frozen lakes and waterways as ice levels in some areas are beginning to thin, especially near reservoir inlets,” sheriff’s officials wrote.

This story was originally published February 20, 2022 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Dog tries to save fisherman who plunged through ice into Utah lake, officials say."