Avid Swimmer Killed In Utah By Boater
According to the Deserte News, Esther Fujimoto, a molecular biologist from the University of Utah, was hit and killed by boaters on August 21st in the Pineview Reservoir in Utah. One eyewitness told investigators that the boaters who hit and killed her stopped and talked with her before leaving the scene.
Esther was swimming 80-100 yards offshore when she was hit by a boat. According to reports, after she was hit, a resident heard her cries for help and rowed a boat to help her until rescue crews could arrive. “It sounded like she was in a lot of pain.” When the neighbor rowed his boat to Esther, he knew she needed medical attention. “When I pulled up alongside of her, she said, ‘Help me. Help me.’ That was it. That’s all she said. … She never said another word.”
The Deserte News story is here with more details. A follow-up by Utah TV is here. More information on the follow-up investigation on Esther’s death is here on Salt TV Network.
Copyright © 2011 by World Open Water Swimming Association 
Esther was swimming 80-100 yards offshore when she was hit by a boat. According to reports, after she was hit, a resident heard her cries for help and rowed a boat to help her until rescue crews could arrive. “It sounded like she was in a lot of pain.” When the neighbor rowed his boat to Esther, he knew she needed medical attention. “When I pulled up alongside of her, she said, ‘Help me. Help me.’ That was it. That’s all she said. … She never said another word.”
The Deserte News story is here with more details. A follow-up by Utah TV is here. More information on the follow-up investigation on Esther’s death is here on Salt TV Network.
Copyright © 2011 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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