A little girl who got swept away into a Utah river on Monday is still missing. Her mother and a bystander are dead after trying to save her.
On Monday morning, 4-year-old London DeDios fell into the Provo River, close to the Bridal Veil Falls. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the child’s mother, Brenda DeDios, 34, and a bystander, Sean Thayne, 30, both died while trying to save the little girl, when they were swept away by the current. Both were found by the Murdock Diversion Dam, around three miles from the area they jumped into the river.
Deceased identified as Brenda DeDios of West Jordan, mother, and Sean Thayne, bystander. 4-year-old London DeDios missing in river #Utah pic.twitter.com/OS54tyb0iD
— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) May 30, 2017
Four other adults jumped into the river in an attempt to save London. They all made it back to safety without injury, aside from one person who hurt his knee.
Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said that a full scale rescue effort, with hundreds of experienced rescuers, started on Monday and pulled back on Monday night. Rescue efforts picked back up on Tuesday morning at 7 a.m.
On Tuesday morning, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District officials reduced the flow coming from the Deer Creek Reservoir in at attempt to lower the water levels in the Provo River, which will help expose areas where someone could get caught up.
Although authorities said that the situation looks bleak for London, they will continue to search for her. There is always a small chance she’s still alive.
Meanwhile, Cannon said that parents must always be vigilant about watching their young children while around any water, but especially Utah rivers.
“This river is cold in August when it’s boiling outside. It’s even colder now, with snowmelt coming off the mountains. Parents need to be so, so vigilant in situations like this. Hang on to your kids for dear life.”
[Feature Photo: GoFundMe]
