Southern Utah teenager dies following incident at Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Scene from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Kane County, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, St. George News

KANAB — A Utah teenager is dead following a Saturday afternoon incident at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Just after 5:30 p.m., park rangers were alerted to an ongoing incident just outside the campground area. A teenager, 13-year-old Ian Spendlove of Santa Clara, Utah, had become trapped underneath the sand. Park rangers believe he had been digging a tunnel in the side of a sand dune when it unexpectedly collapsed with him inside, according to a news release from the Utah Division of State Parks.

A family member who witnessed the collapse notified nearby visitors and state park staff who immediately began to dig to locate Spendlove. A State Park law enforcement ranger and deputies with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office arrived soon after with shovels to assist.

Spendlove was recovered at about 5:53 p.m. approximately 6-and-a-half-feet beneath the sand. First responders administered CPR until additional emergency personnel arrived. After confirming that Spendlove had a pulse, he was transported via Intermountain Life Flight to St. George Regional Hospital and then to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Unfortunately, on Sunday, Spendlove had not regained brain activity and was declared dead, the news release said.

The incident remains under investigation.

With the recreation season now underway, Utah State Parks reminds visitors that while Utah’s outdoors are beautiful places to explore, safety needs to be a top priority. Always recreate with a buddy, wear life jackets and helmets and always let somebody know where you are going and when to expect your return.

Click here to learn more about Utah’s state parks, safety tips and laws and rules.

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