Tragic Lake Powell Boat Accident Claims Lives of Young Twins and Elderly Woman

The boat capsized near the mouth of Navajo Canyon in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on Friday.

COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — Tragedy struck on Lake Powell as a pontoon boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of two 4-year-old boys and a 72-year-old woman, identified as Melissa Bean. The incident occurred near the mouth of Navajo Canyon on Friday afternoon, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

The National Park Service’s Glen Canyon Regional Communications Center received an emergency call at 3:18 p.m., reporting the boat accident. The 25-foot pontoon was being towed by another vessel when large waves overtook it, overturning the boat and entrapping several of the 11 passengers aboard.

Glen Canyon Rangers immediately responded to the distress call. They found the pontoon with one person atop it and several others in the water. At that moment, officials noted that some passengers were unaccounted for, though they did not specify the exact number of missing individuals.

Fortunately, nearby boaters offered swift assistance, rescuing some of the stranded victims from the water. Two of the rescued individuals required critical care and were airlifted to a hospital before being transported by ambulance.

The incident is under investigation by multiple authorities, including the National Park Service, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. As of Saturday, three lives have been confirmed lost in this tragic event.

No further details have been released at this time. This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.