Salt Lake Fire Cpt. Michael Harp dies in rafting accident

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 29, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) – A Salt Lake City fire chief has died in a rafting accident on the Green River.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Salt Lake City Fire Department announces the unexpected passing of Captain Michael Harp,” the fire department said in a statement.

“While the details of this tragic death are still being investigated, it appears that Captain Harp was involved in a rafting accident on the Green River.”

Harp served with the Salt Lake City Fire Department for 27 years. He was a second-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, who also served with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, the Salt Lake City Fire Department statement said.

Captain Harp was also a dedicated member of Utah Task Force 1 and was deployed to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001.

“Captain Michael Harp dedicated his life to serving not only the citizens of Salt Lake City, but also his fellow firefighters. His legacy of service, leadership, compassion and infectious laughter will be forever remembered by all who knew him,” the statement said.

“On behalf of the Salt Lake City Fire Department, we would like to extend our condolences to the entire Harp family. Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and fellow firefighters during this difficult time.”

Harp’s death came after the National Park Service announced that a 50-year-old Sandy man died Thursday in a rafting accident on the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado side.

The SLCFD statement did not officially confirm that Harp, a Sandy resident, is the man who died in this accident, although no other fatal rafting accidents have been reported on the Green River recently.

Read more about deadly rafting at this link.