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BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON — Search and rescue crews searched for hours Friday before locating the body of a 15-year-old Sandy girl in Lake Mary following a cliff jumping accident.
The girl jumped from a rock around 4 p.m. at Lake Mary, located southeast of Brighton Resort, when she either leaped awkwardly or slipped, said Unified police detective Ken Hansen.
The girl "hit the rocks on the shore before (sliding) into the water," Hansen said.
Bystanders got into the lake and tried to rescue the girl, but were unable to locate her, according to the detective. Four friends who were with the girl reported the incident.
A search and rescue dive team member found the girl's body about 18 feet under the water just before 8 p.m. The body was located a short distance from where the teenager had jumped.
"It’s just a tragic accident," Hansen said. "It’s … unforunate for the family."
The girl's name was not released Friday pending notification of family members.
The rock stands about 25 feet above the shoreline and appears to be a popular spot for cliff jumping, Hansen said, noting that the water in that area is a protected watershed and shouldn't be used for that activity. Lake Mary has frigid temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees.
The Utah State Medical Examiner's Office will determine what caused the girl's death.
This is the cliff missing 15yo girl at Lake Mary jumped off of. She hit her head. @KSL5TV at 10. Photos : Ty Russell pic.twitter.com/Kw6Ibaik0o
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) June 18, 2016
