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Tonya Papanikolas reporting A West Jordan man is recovering after a fatal boat accident at Pineview Reservoir.
A boat collided with a personal watercraft yesterday just before 4 p.m.
The boat driver was taken to McKay Dee Hospital and later released. The operator of the Waverunner died.
Paul Standage had just launched his boat by himself while his family waited on a nearby beach.
He says he didn't see the man on the jet ski until right before he crashed. Suddenly they were both flying into the water.
Standage says his arm probably hit the throttle and pushed it down when he was thrown, so his boat started going in circles and wouldn't stop.
He was caught under the propeller, which cut up his legs and arm.
But the man on the Waverunner, 24-year-old Jasper Otting from Illinois, died.
Standage swam to him and tried to give him CPR. But he didn't make it.
Now Standage says he's having a hard time thinking of those images, while his family is thanking God he made it.
Paul Standage/ Collided with Waverunner: "The impact, then getting hit with the prop, and then staring him in the face, knowing that he was either dead or on his way out. That's the hardest thing, staring death in the eye."
Silvia Standage/ Husband Survived Boating Accident: "I am grateful that he made it okay, for my children and for me, because that was going through my head, what am I going to do without him?"
Standage says he's been asking himself if he could have done anything differently, but he says he's had to realize there were two parties involved.
He and his wife don't know if Otting saw him, either.
A medical helicopter was brought in for Otting, but his injuries were fatal.
Standage wanted to thank all the boaters who rushed to help the two of them. He also said he wants to get the word out that it's important to watch for other people, and what you do affects everyone else on the water.
The accident is still under investigation.
Sheriff's deputies are waiting for autopsy results to determine if alcohol was a factor.
This latest accident brings the number of deaths this year on Pineview Reservoir to three-- two of those were drownings.
The sheriff's office says it is a very popular recreation spot and sometimes people don't follow the rules.
Up to 300 boats are allowed on the lake, but there should be 150 feet between a boat any other obstacle.
Drivers are also suppposed to designate the job of "observer" to one of the passengers.
The reservoir has a reputation for being dangerous, but deputies say it's more likely that people are not paying attention.
The sheriff's office says more people are using Pineview this summer because it has more water than Willard Bay or Bear Lake.
