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SALT LAKE CITY — The body of a kayaker who fell into Little Dell Reservoir was recovered Tuesday night.
Crews from multiple agencies found the body of Salt Lake County resident Hailey Mason, 29, about 9:45 p.m., Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera announced Wednesday.
"Once we knew the area where the victim fell into the water, we were able to put up a buoy that marked that area, and once the boats were able to get in there and use their technology, they were able to locate her," the sheriff said. "This is very, very tragic and our hearts mourn with the family in something like this. It's so unexpected."
Police say Mason was at Little Dell Reservoir by herself on Tuesday. She was on a kayak when other people nearby heard her calling for help sometime between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Rivera said. At least one witness briefly saw her in the water before she went under.
"Despite their attempts to swim out and assist her, she went under the water and did not resurface," according to the sheriff's office.
First responders found the kayak washed up on shore with some of Mason's personal items inside, which helped search and rescue crews initially identify her.
Rivera said it took about seven hours for crews to gather and get all of their equipment in place. Search and rescue teams from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office and Utah State Park rangers participated in the search and recovery effort.
"Three boats equipped with sonar technology were deployed, leading to the discovery of Ms. Mason. During the search, Ms. Mason's kayak, life vest and other belongings were also recovered," the sheriff's office said.
What caused Mason to fall into the water, which Rivera said was calm on Tuesday, remained unknown.
This is the second time this week Salt Lake County's search and rescue team has been called to help recover a body. On Monday, a missing 80-year-old hiker was found dead in Big Cottonwood Canyon after apparently falling more than 200 feet off the Sundial Trail.
With the Fourth of July holiday weekend coming up, Rivera encourages recreationists, whether they're hiking or on the water, to be careful.
"Just take every precaution you can when you're in our canyons, when you're out on the water. Have your safety equipment. And make sure that somebody knows where you're at," she said.
The sheriff is also reminding people who visit the canyons to be careful with fire and follow the rules each canyon has regarding campfires and fireworks.
