Extreme caution is urged when out on the ice after a tragedy occurred over the weekend. The Uintah County Sheriff’s Office reports that at 9:14 a.m. on February 19th, emergency crews were dispatched to Steinaker Reservoir on the report of a man who fell through the ice while fishing. “Witnesses reported hearing the man yell and seeing his dog jump in the water, but when they got over to the area where he went in, they couldn’t find him,” shares the report. “Uintah County Search and Rescue teams responded to the scene and were able to rescue the dog as they searched for the man near the west inlet of the reservoir. At approximately 10:50 a.m. the man was located, deceased, 5 to 6 feet from where he fell through the ice, at an estimated 10 feet under water. The victim was identified as 52 year-old Travis Hanchett, of Vernal.” Evans Family Media joins the Sheriff’s Office in extending our condolences to the family and friends mourning this tragic loss. With warming temperatures, the Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to use extreme caution on frozen lakes and waterways as areas are beginning to thin, especially near reservoir inlets.
