Body of paddle boarder located at Rockport Reservoir

Summit County, Utah — Around 11 p.m. Thursday, search teams recovered the body of a man who drowned at Rockport Reservoir.

Search and rescue crews located the body of 39-year-old Matthew Britton of Taylorsville, according to a tweet from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Sonar and remotely operated vehicles helped locate Britton’s body. Search and rescue crews worked overnight at Rockport Reservoir to try and find the man.

Britton was paddle boarding with a dog and not wearing a life jacket. Something caused the dog to jump in the reservoir, and Britton jumped in to save the dog. The dog was wearing a life jacket and was able to make it to the shore.

According to officials, Britton’s girlfriend and another friend were on the shore and could hear him calling out for help.

The public is being warned to be prepared if they are heading out on the water, and always wear a life vest.

“It’s one of those things that when you’re out on the water it doesn’t matter how good of a swimmer you are,” said Captain Andrew Wright with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. “The water is cold and if you are too far away from shore, it doesn’t take too long for your breath to be taken away, to start feeling hypothermic, losing control of your muscles because your muscles will start to tense up because of the cold.”

Captain Wright extended his condolences to Britton’s family and friends.