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SARATOGA SPRINGS — A parasailor died Friday evening after crashing into Utah Lake. The Utah County Sheriff's Office has identified him as Siegfried C. Muhlhauserhad, of Murrieta, California.
Just after 6 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to a call that a male parasailor had crashed into Utah lake, according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon.
"He was conducting some maneuvers that are common for experienced (parasailors) to do, and by all reports this gentleman was a very experienced (parasailor)," Cannon said.
Witnesses told police Muhlhauserhad, 59, had unknown difficulties in the air while performing maneuvers and fell up to 2,000 feet into the water.
Muhlhauserhad was in the water for "at least a couple of minutes before he was pulled aboard a boat, Cannon said. Someone began performing CPR on the man as he was transported to the Pelican Bay Marina.
Responders from Saratoga Springs Fire and Rescue and the Lehi Fire Department responded to the scene and continued life-saving measures. Despite efforts, Muhlhauserhad died at the scene, Cannon said.
"If you were to fall directly and hit the water from that height, it's not very much different than hitting the ground; it could be a very difficult impact," he said.
Muhlhaurserhad's body was taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Salt Lake City.
Contributing: Brianna Bodily and Sam Penrod
