Utah Teen Dies When Tunnel He Dug Collapses At Coral Pink Sand Dunes

KANAB, UT — A 13-year-old Utah boy is dead after officials said a tunnel he was digging in a sand dune unexpectedly collapsed, trapping him inside.

Ian Spendlove of Santa Clara was digging a tunnel Saturday afternoon at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park when the tunnel collapsed, Utah National Parks said in a blog post Monday. The tunnel was just outside a campground, near the Arizona border.

A family member saw the collapse around 5:30 p.m. and alerted nearby visitors and state park staff, who immediately began digging to find the boy. A state park law enforcement ranger and deputies with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office joined the dig with shovels shortly thereafter.

Rescuers found the boy about 20 minutes later more than 6 feet beneath the sand, officials said. First responders gave the boy CPR until additional emergency workers could arrive. He was flown to St. George Regional Hospital and then to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

On Sunday, the boy did not regain brain activity, and doctors declared him dead.

"The Utah Division of State Parks extends our condolences to Ian Spendlove’s friends and family impacted by this tragedy," the agency said.

Parks officials urged visitors to prioritize safety while exploring the outdoors, including bringing a friend, wearing life jackets and helmets, and sharing whereabouts and expected return times with others.

Loved ones mourned the boy's death on social media.

"Rest in peace Ian, the other two amigos are missing you deeply," one Facebook commenter wrote. "Prayers for the spendlove family."