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ROCKPORT STATE PARK, Summit County — Rescue teams are searching for a missing paddle boarder at Rockport State Park.
Joshua Merkley, 21, of Layton became separated from his paddle board at about 3:30 p.m. when a strong wind front traveled through the area, according to the Summit County Sheriff's Office. Officials said Merkley wasn't wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
"I believe somebody saw him fall off his paddle board and then never come back up," said Sgt. Tony Sampora of the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation.
The paddle board has been recovered, but the Summit County Search and Rescue team is still working to locate Merkley. Investigators said the rescue team is currently using side scan sonar in the water to search the area where he was last seen.
"Right now the lake is flooded with about as much equipment as we possibly can (have)," Bridge said.
Merkley's family members visited the search site, Bridge said. Merkley is reportedly in excellent shape, though Bridge didn't know whether he was experienced at paddleboarding.
Crews' efforts were still considered a search and rescue effort and not a recovery mission as of Friday night, according to Bridge. He also said the water temperature in the reservoir was relatively moderate when Merkley went missing.
Contributing: Brianna Bodily, Ben Lockhart
