Woman dies in pontoon boat

A tragic incident occurred on Lake Powell when a pontoon boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of two four-year-old boys and a 72-year-old woman, identified as Melissa Bean. The accident happened on Friday afternoon when the pontoon, which was being towed by another boat, was overwhelmed by waves near Navajo Canyon, subsequently trapping several passengers beneath it. Emergency responders, including Glen Canyon National Park rangers and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, arrived to find some individuals unaccounted for, while nearby boaters assisted in rescue efforts. Two additional passengers, a man and a 12-year-old girl, were hospitalized, with the girl reported in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the capsizing, emphasizing the unusual severity of the incident with three fatalities and two in critical condition. The investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.