Walter Greer, 3, dies after being hit by propeller in Utah lake

August 15, 2023

A 3-year-old boy was killed Sunday after he fell off a boat and was struck by a propeller during a family trip at a state park in Utah, officials said.

Walter Greer of Salt Lake City was enjoying a day with his family at the Echo State Park reservoir just before 4:45 p.m. when he tragically fell over the side of the boat, according to the state parks department.

“After falling in, Greer was then struck by the propeller at the rear of the boat,” Utah rangers said in a statement.

Walter apparently died on impact. He was pronounced dead after the rangers recovered him from the water.

The horrifying tragedy has left Walter’s loved ones “devastated by this loss,” the toddler’s family said.

“Walter was a happy, rambunctious three-year-old with a big personality,” his aunt, Allison Meakin, wrote in a GoFundMe.

“He loved Spiderman, trucks, boots, and trains and was excited to start preschool.”

According to the family, Walter’s parents Alex and Doug, his two sisters and several friends were on board and witnessed the horrifying accident.

Officials said the group had been onboard a lake board-style boat for a day of water skiing when Walter toppled over the edge.

Walter Greer died over the weekend after falling over the edge of a boat during a family trip.

Though the incident is still under investigation, Rangers suspect no foul play and believe it was a catastrophic accident.

No one was under the influence and Walter was wearing a lifejacket at the time.

Walter’s death is the latest in a string of propeller-related tragedies.

Last week, prominent New York book publishing executive Adrienne Vaughan was killed on a family vacation along the Amalfi Coast when she smashed into the propeller of the speeding boat her family rented.

Vaughan and her husband had been launched into the water after their skipper crashed into a large yacht carrying a wedding party.