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GREENS DRAW, Daggett County — A Vernal man was killed early Saturday after being pinned between a camper and a vehicle while on a family camping trip.
About 10:30 p.m. Friday, Daggett County sheriff's deputies responded to a call from the man's family members at a camping area near Greens Draw, which is east of U.S. 191 in southern Daggett County.
Deputies and medical responders found Ryan Gardiner, 40, pinned between a camper and the vehicle towing it. Gardiner suffered serious internal injuries, though he was conscious and talking to responders when they arrived, according to Daggett County sheriff's spokeswoman Susie Potter.
Gardiner's condition quickly worsened, and responders were unable to stabilize him to take him to a hospital. Gardiner died from his injuries about 12:25 a.m. Saturday, Potter said.
Investigators say the vehicle rolled backward and pinned the man. It's unclear whether the parking brake had been set or what other factors led to the incident, which is still under investigation. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor, according to Potter.
It looks like it really was just a tragic accident. Just a real family tragedy for a camping trip, what should have been a fun weekend for them.
–Susie Potter, Daggett County
"It looks like it really was just a tragic accident," she said. "Just a real family tragedy for a camping trip, what should have been a fun weekend for them."
Friends expressed sympathy to Gardiner's family on Facebook in response to a comment from family member Lisa Gardiner.
"Our hearts are heavy and broken right now," Lisa Gardiner wrote on Saturday. "Ryan has met God tonight and is in his arms. … It was an accident on the mountain and all I can say right now is he was doing what he loved … and was with the ones he cherished.
"What I asked for right now is prayers for our family and most of all his children that loved him dearly and are beyond in confusion," she wrote. "God bless all the medics that helped me with the love of my life tonight and all his family for enduring with us till the end."
Potter urged campers to use caution when driving and using equipment.
"Just a reminder to everyone to slow down, use caution, make sure you're setting your brake, turning your vehicle off and putting it in park," she said.
