Salt Lake City Man Dies in PWC Crash at East Canyon State Park

SALT LAKE CITY  — A 30-year-old man has died after a personal watercraft accident at East Canyon State Park. 

Just after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Utah State Parks law enforcement rangers responded to the west side of the reservoir after receiving a call about a crash. Benjamin Paul Rosser from Salt Lake City, originally from Pennsylvania, was riding a personal watercraft (PWC) alone on the reservoir when he crashed into the rockface along the reservoir’s west side. A nearby fisherman heard the crash, saw the wreckage, and immediately called for help. 

Rangers responded to the area quickly via their patrol boat. Unfortunately, when they arrived at the scene and recovered Rosser, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Rosser was wearing a lifejacket at the time of the incident. 

The Utah Division of State Parks extends our condolences to Rosser’s family and friends. This incident remains under investigation at this time.

We would also like to thank the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and Morgan County Emergency Services, who assisted in this incident. 

Memorial Day Safety

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and thousands of Utahns are preparing to head into the outdoors with their friends and family. The Utah Division of State Parks is happy to host these visitors who visit our parks for camping, swimming, boating, OHV riding, and more. However, it’s vital for all visitors to practice responsible recreation.  

Always recreate with a buddy, wear your life jackets and helmets, and let somebody know where you are going and when to expect your return. Checking weather conditions and water temperatures is also vital. Pack appropriate gear for your activity and stay hydrated while outdoors.To learn more about Utah’s state parks, visit stateparks.utah.gov. For boating and OHV laws and rules, visit recreation.utah.gov.