WILLARD — The body of a Layton man who drowned while helping rescue his son from choppy water at Willard Bay State Park was recovered Saturday night.

According to a statement from Utah State Parks, the man — Andre Debose, 38 — was on the water with his 17-year-old son and others who were swimming and boating near Eagle Beach when the weather turned stormy around 4:20 p.m., affecting the water conditions.

A 19-year-old woman who was swimming with the group began to struggle, the statement said, so Debose’s son jumped in to assist her. The woman, who was wearing a life jacket, made it back to the boat safely. But the son reportedly began struggling himself, prompting Debose to jump in after him.

Once in the water together, the statement said, father and son both clung to a single life jacket, but Debose ultimately sank below the water and didn’t come back up. His son then reached the boat and got back onboard.

Utah State Parks law enforcement rangers, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s remotely operated vehicle team and search-and-rescue squads from Box Elder and Weber counties responded to the park to look for Debose. His body was pulled from the water around 11:15 p.m.

Similar conditions resulted in the drowning of 51-year-old Robert Mittendorf of Weber County one week prior while recreating at Freeway Bay, another area of the park.

“The Utah Division of State Parks extends our deepest condolences to Debose’s family and friends during this difficult time. We would also like to express our thanks to the agencies who assisted in the search and recovery efforts,” the statement said. “As the recreation season continues, we urge all outdoor recreators to prioritize safety. Always recreate with a buddy, wear a life jacket, and remain aware of weather conditions. Ensure someone knows your location and expected return time.”