Man presumed drowned at Flaming Gorge

Man presumed drowned at Flaming Gorge


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FLAMING GORGE RESERVOIR — A 35-year-old Colorado man is believed to have drowned Thursday while swimming with a friend after high winds carried their boat away.

Chad Runnings, of Craig, Colo., had a life jacket at the time but gave it to his friend while the two attempted to retrieve the boat. Shortly after the exchange, the friend saw Runnings go under the water and not come back up, according to Karen Peterson, spokeswoman for the Dagget County Sheriff's Office.

Officers were notified of the possible drowning just after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. A dive team from Uintah County arrived at about 8:30 p.m. and trolled the waters in the Jug Hollow area for two hours but did not find Runnings body. Sheriff Jerry Jorgensen said divers could only see to 5 feet under the water, and the bottom of the reservoir where Runnings was last seen is around 12 feet deep.

Divers will continue the search Friday, utilizing equipment and teams from not only Uintah County, but Summit County and Sweetwater and Sublett counties of Wyoming.

Email:wleonard@ksl.com

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Wendy Leonard

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