Found Deceased UT - Chenoa Plank, 26, & Benjamin Magalis, 24, Campers, Wasatch Co., 11 Nov 2018

[Darling136]

I have updated the title with names, as of the length i had to leave the dog out, but he is however fine.

 

[rainynights]

Her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/chenoa.plank

His Facebook page:
Ben Magalis

 

[Razz]

I don't know much about canoeing but it seems dangerous to have a dog in the small space. I'm thinking about my own dogs and if they saw something of interest, they'd be rocking the boat to get out.

 

[zecats]

Her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/chenoa.plank

His Facebook page:
Ben Magalis

Ironically there's a photo on her Facebook page of a person in canoe on a lake (near Salt Lake City) and also another of her dog on the beach of the lake from a little over a year ago. The person in the canoe is wearing some heavy looking clothing. It would be so difficult to swim if the canoe tipped over while wearing this much gear. Such a tragic outcome for two vibrant young people. She looks so happy in all her photos and like she really loves life.

These two photos are eerily prescient.

 

[zecats]

This is from a world class Coast Guard former member who writes on water survival This is what he published on cold water survival: The Truth About Cold Water

His bio: Mario’s first experience with at-sea emergencies was as ship’s company aboard the USS Coral Sea, a WWII era aircraft carrier., in 1985. Joining the Coast Guard in 1991 he worked at Training Center Cape May before transferring to the Cutter Point Franklin as a helmsman and small boat coxswain. He graduated from Helicopter Rescue Swimmer School in 1994 and began his career in helicopter rescue with two tours at Air Station Elizabeth City, one at Air Station New Orleans, then finally as an instructor and course developer at the Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, NC. He retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2013 following four years as a vessel inspector and accident investigator in Norfolk, Virginia.

Mario is a leading expert on immersion hypothermia, drowning, sea survival, and safety at sea. His writing has appeared in Yachting Magazine, SaltWater Sportsman, MotorBoating Magazine, Lifelines, On-Scene, and Reader’s Digest. Mario writes about safety at sea every week for Soundings Magazine. He has developed courses for municipal rescue teams and the military on search and rescue tactics and open ocean survival. In 2007, he was named as the Coast Guard Active Duty Enlisted Person of the Year and was named as the 2009 recipient of the Alex Haley Award for Journalism.

Thank you for posting this. Very informative. As someone who has grown up near the Atlantic, some of this was unknown to me. It does help to explain how both of them could have succumbed to a fall into the water, even if they were close to shore.

I have a summer place near Cape May and often see the Coast Guard helicopters training and flying over the beaches. Interesting that Mario started his Coast Guard career there.

 

[GraceG]

These are my thoughts as well Hatfield.

But why did the couple vanish (drown?) but the dog made it safe onto the island? Maybe the dog stayed in the canoe and jumped onto dry land once it was close enough? Lucky little guy it seems!

A dogs fur can be quite insulating, wherein wet clothes only hasten succumbing to the cold. It's in the 40's in the day in the area, down into the 20's and teen's late at night. I couldn't imagine camping or canoeing in what likely was a deserted area at that time of year. The water was probably right around freezing. Survival time at those temps is lower than you'd expect, probably 15-30 minutes and that's conserving energy, NOT swimming for shore. Cold Water Survival

 

[zecats]

She has not been found yet. Seems there were life vests.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/fox13n...tion-to-drowning-on-strawberry-reservoir/amp/

 

[cybervampira]

Body of missing Utah woman found in Strawberry Reservoir

The body of 26-year-old Chenoa L. Plank has been found in Strawberry Reservoir, accoring to the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office.

 

[zecats]

Body of missing Utah woman found in Strawberry Reservoir

Wow that was a quick change of events after my previous post. Sad outcome but really glad they found her.

ETA. Reported 38 degrees water temp.

 

[tiffkinsadder]

Oh no!

 

[CocoChanel]

Body of missing Utah woman found in Strawberry Reservoir

This is so tragic for these young people and their families and friends. I am saddened they both perished, and I am grateful their families can lay them to rest.

 

[CocoChanel]

Dear Carbuff,

I agree - it's the cold shock response that is the most imminent danger.

There are so many variables to consider in their situation. How much experience did they had paddling and most importantly were they wearing their life jackets and did they have them on properly? Just wearing a life jacket which is not closed and tied can come off during panic from the cold water.

If they had low body fat and were in super shape, they would require more buoyancy in their life jackets to stay afloat longer.



Excerpt from (below) article:

1. COLD SHOCK RESPONSE
   Within three minutes of immersion:
   • Gasping, hyperventilation and panic.
   • If not wearing a life jacket, a higher risk of drowning.
2. COLD INCAPACITATION
   Within 30 minutes of immersion:
   • Cooling of arms and legs impairs sensation and function regardless of swimming ability.
   • If not wearing a life jacket, a higher risk of drowning.
3. IMMERSION HYPOTHERMIA
   After at least 30 minutes of immersion:
   • Gradual cooling of the body’s core temperature eventually results in loss of useful consciousness.
   • If wearing a life jacket, survival time may be extended

Cold Water Immersion Safety Tips from U.S. Coast Guard -BoatBeat

This is an excellent resource. I had no idea about these 3 stages of risk when accidentally entering cold water. Thank you for sharing. Now I understand better the kayak death of Vincent Viafore. It makes me wonder if his fiancé was wrongly convicted, even though she plead guilty.

 

[liltexans]

The temperature of the water was about 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chenoa's dog, Hazel, was wearing a life jacket and was rescued by Wasatch County Search and Rescue and Chenoa's family.

Sadly, Chenoa and Benjamin perished in the water. The State Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause of death, although it appears they may have drowned.

Wasatch County Sheriff's Office

 

[carbuff]

I'm so sorry it ended like that. I was hoping for a miracle.

 

[kaen]

I am relieved that they both have been found. I wish their families peace. At least, Chenoa's family has Hazel to keep them company--she must have been a very loved dog to have had a life vest on.

 

[Hatfield]

This is so tragic for these young people and their families and friends. I am saddened they both perished, and I am grateful their families can lay them to rest.

Yeah the only good thing is authorities were able to find them rather quickly. Glad it was not a long drawn out search for them because that would have just added to the despair.

Thoughts and prayers for their family and friends.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Body of missing Utah woman found in Strawberry Reservoir

May they both rest in peace.

It wasnt the outcome any of us wanted to see but thankfully both have been found and brought home to their families.

Jmo

 

[Hippononymous]

I'm so sad about this outcome. RIP Chenoa and Benjamin.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

I am always sad for those who live on, who have to make sense of these deaths, who have to grieve and be reminded daily... and in this case, Hazel... she will be looking for Chenoa... I'm a sucker for the pets, I just am. Glad she is ok and on some level will bring her family some love and comfort... so very very sad..

 

[zecats]

I am always sad for those who live on, who have to make sense of these deaths, who have to grieve and be reminded daily... and in this case, Hazel... she will be looking for Chenoa... I'm a sucker for the pets, I just am. Glad she is ok and on some level will bring her family some love and comfort... so very very sad..

Me too. I wish there was some way to make the pet understand how much they were loved and also how different things will be from now on, but also ok. The same with Jayme's dog Molly in her missing case. I'm really sad these two young active seemingly happy people are now gone. The holidays will be tough for the families.