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WANSHIP, Summit County — The body of 21-year-old Joshua Merkley was recovered at Rockport State Park Saturday after he went missing from his paddle board Friday afternoon, officials said.
Merkley, a Layton resident, was with friends and riding a paddle board on the reservoir when a wind storm swept through the area, according to Summit County Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Bridge.
Merkley was reported missing just after 3 p.m. Search teams located his paddleboard, but witnesses did not know when exactly he got separated from the group.
Boats from several responding agencies along with a medical helicopter swept the scene Friday evening well after dark in search of Merkley. Search teams were reported to have reassembled to continue the search at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Bridge said they used side scan sonar to find Merkley's body.
Merkley was said to have been in good shape, although it was unknown whether he was experienced on a paddleboard. He was not wearing a life jacket, Bridge said.
SAR has recovered Joshua Merkley at Rockport State Park. Our hearts go out to the family. — Sheriff J. Martinez (@SummitCountySO) July 18, 2015
Contributing: Ben Lockhart
