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Fire Captain Dies in Dinosaur National Monument Rafting Accident

Firefighter Michael Harp died in a rafting accident on the Green River. The 27-year veteran of Salt Lake City's fire department leaves behind a legacy of service and sacrifice.

Published June 30, 2024 at 6:35pm by James Powel

A Salt Lake City Fire Captain, Michael Harp, 54, died in a boating accident in Dinosaur National Monument, the National Park Service announced.

"His legacy of service, leadership, compassion, and contagious laughter will forever be remembered by all who knew him."
- Salt Lake City Fire Department

Per the park service, Harp, a 27-year veteran and second-generation firefighter, was on a private trip down the Green River when his boat was pinned in Hells Half Mile rapid (class III/IV). He was thrown underneath, then unsecured, and floated downriver, unresponsive and without a life jacket. His body was found 10 miles downstream by a commercial rafting company on Friday.