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Teen dies after drowning in Box Elder County

Posted at 11:39 AM, Jun 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-08 13:41:36-04

cutler-dam-mapBOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah — An 18-year-old Millville man died Tuesday after he drowned at Cutler Dam Canal, near Beaver Dam in Box Elder County.

According to the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office, Francisco Isreal Hilera was with five other young adults who were swimming and fishing in the canal.

Hilera was among four who went swimming in the canal. A news release from the sheriff’s office said the swimmers were floating down the canal and they planned to grab on to an overhead flume, but Hilera missed the flume and went underwater.

The other swimmers noticed Hiler appeared to be in distress before he went underwater, the news release said. Hilera has been last seen by his friends around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday and and emergency call was placed around 5:50, the news release said

Officials from several different agencies, including Box Elder Communications, Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office, Box Elder County Scuba Team, Box Elder County Search and Rescue and the Fielding Fire Department responded to search for Hilera.

Hilera’s body was found around 9 p.m. and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The news release said swimming at the canals is not only dangerous but against the law, as they are on private property.