WEBER COUNTY, Utah — The person who drowned after cliff jumping into a northern Utah reservoir over the weekend has been identified as an Airman at Hill Air Force Base.
The Weber County Sheriff's Office said they were called to Causey Reservoir, which is about 25 miles east of Ogden, on Saturday around 2:30 p.m. There, they learned that 23-year-old Angel Harris from Delaware had jumped from a cliff into the water and initially resurfaced, but then went back under the water and didn't come up.
Hill AFB officials later confirmed that Harris was an Airman 1st Class with the 388th Fighter Wing. He joined the Air Force eight months ago as an F-35 avionics apprentice.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and our fellow Airmen who lost a close teammate,” Col. Charles Fallon, the 388th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement. “We all share the sorrow when we lose one of our own. The Air Force is a family, and we will provide every bit of comfort and help that we can during this tragic time.”
According to the sheriff's office, Harris was not wearing a life jacket when he jumped from the cliff.
A major search effort was initiated, with resources on the land, on the water and in the air. Several fire engines, at least one ambulance, police vehicles, an AirMed helicopter, and rafts were seen at the reservoir. At one point, police had the entrance to the reservoir closed off and were turning vehicles away.
The sheriff's office confirmed that Harris's body was found around 9:10 p.m. by a remote-operated underwater vehicle, then recovered by a dive team. His body was about 48 feet below the surface.
"We are thankful for the resources and dive teams that aided the search and recovery operation. Our hearts and sympathies go out to Angel’s family and friends in the wake of this loss," the sheriff's office wrote. "Going forward, we ask that the public be mindful of water safety. Any use of the water at Causey Reservoir requires the person to be wearing a life jacket."
Later the same day, another person died at a reservoir in central Utah. A search commenced at Yuba Lake State Park for a man who went under while swimming and did not resurface. His body was also found by the search and rescue crew.
