Man pronounced dead after drowning at Blackridge Reservoir

HERRIMAN, Utah (ABC4) — The body of a 22-year-old man has been found after he drowned at Blackridge Reservoir in Herriman on Saturday, according to Herriman Police.

The deceased is identified as Deng Ador, 22.

At around 5:40 p.m. on Aug. 16, police responded to a 911 call reporting two people in distress at Blackridge Reservoir. According to police, an incident occurred where two individuals — Ador and Sa Mafutaga, 21 — were struggling in the water.

Mafutaga was reportedly able to make it to shore but saw that Ador was still struggling in the water. Mafutaga reentered the water in an attempt to help Ador, police said, but was unable to do so.

Bystanders then entered the water to help Mafutaga, who was later taken to the hospital by Unified Fire Authority. He is expected to recover, police said.

Ador reportedly went underwater around 35 yards from the shore. Unified Fire Authority and South Jordan Fire Dept. water rescue teams conducted search efforts, later joined by the Utah Highway Patrol dive team.

“After several hours of searching, UHP’s submersible robot located Ador at 10:40 p.m.,” a press release from Herriman Police states. “Divers recovered him at 11:00 p.m., and he was pronounced deceased.”

Ador’s family was present during the search and has been notified, police said.

“The Herriman City Police Department investigations unit is requesting any patrons who witnessed the events and have not spoken with detectives to contact the Herriman Police Department at 801-858-0035, referencing case HR25-16361,” the release states.

Blackridge Reservoir will remain closed until further notice by Herriman City. This closure includes the adjacent trailhead and all grass and beach areas.

No further information is available at this time.