FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2024

Contact: Adam Simonsen, Coconino County Sheriff's Office Deputy PIO (928) 607-6590, [email protected]

Mary Plumb, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Public Information Officer [email protected]

Pontoon boat capsizes in Navajo Valley, killing several

PAGE, ARIZONA – At approximately 3:18 p.m. on July 26, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) Glen Canyon Regional Communications Center received an alert of a capsized boat on Lake Powell near Buoy 12 and the entrance to Navajo Canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Coconino County, Arizona. A 25-foot privately owned pontoon boat was being towed by another boater when a wave caused the tow boat to capsize. Several of the 11 passengers were trapped under the capsized boat. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon) rangers were immediately dispatched and observed one member of the party on the pontoon boat and others in the water. Some of the party were missing. Nearby boaters assisted in the rescue of the victim in the water. Glen Canyon rangers and Page Fire Department personnel provided emergency medical treatment at the scene. The other two patients were transported by Classic Air Medical Helicopter and Page Fire Department ambulance for further treatment. As of today, the deaths are two 4-year-old males and a 72-year-old female, Melissa Bean.

The National Park Service would like to thank the Big Water Fire Department partners who responded to the fire and medical calls, Glen Canyon National Park Service Rangers, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and the Kane County Sheriff's Office for assisting with information while the Page Fire Department responded to the incident. The incident is currently under investigation by the National Park Service, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and the Coconino County Coroner's Office. No further information is available at this time.

The National Park Service and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office extend their condolences to the family. ###