Teenager falls into fast-flowing Utah river and later found safe

PROVO, Utah — Provo police said a 13-year-old boy fell into the Provo River in Riverside Park Tuesday afternoon.

Provo Police's Janna Lee-Holland joined KSL NewsRadio with the latest update.

The teen was reportedly found and pulled from the water between Riverside and Alligator Parks.

Police confirm the teen had special needs. According to Janna-Lee Holland of the Provo Police Department, he wandered into the river and his parents were unable to get him out.

They called for help, the police and firefighters intervened. As they gathered, a passerby jumped into the river and held on to the young man until firefighters could extract him using a rope system.

Around 4:30 p.m., the child was out of the water and was doing well.

“We are absolutely relieved that this is a positive outcome for both of them,” Holland said.

The third case this week

He is the third person to fall into Utah's fast-flowing rivers in recent days.

“We really want to get the message out that the rivers are fast, cold and much deeper than they usually are… Unfortunately, we don't have much success with rescues. It’s usually a recovery mission, not a rescue mission,” Holland said.

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