Walter Greer.Photo:GoFundMe
GoFundMe
Walter Greer, of Salt Lake City, was riding a boat with family on Echo Reservoir at Echo State Park on Sunday when he fell into the water, state parks officials said in anews release.
Park law enforcement rangers responded to the scene just before 4:45 p.m. local time and recovered Greer from the water, but he was already dead, officials said. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a life jacket.
Officials expressed their “condolences to the family and to all those grieving at this difficult time,” noting that the incident is under investigation.
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“Walter was an absolute joy who loved Spiderman, trains, trucks and his red boots,” the family shared. “We are so blessed to have Walter as a forever part of our family. He is so loved and we hold his memory close until we meet again.”
The “happy, rambunctious three-year-old with a big personality” was excited to start preschool this month, according to aGoFundMe pageset up to help the family with funeral, medical, counseling and related expenses.
At the time of the boating accident, he was “enjoying a day on the lake with his parents, two sisters, and dear friends,” read a message on the page, which has raised over $22,000 as of Tuesday morning.
source: people.com