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Show 3 CmsiH Claims AsudDtHneE0 LM ii Body Found at Point of Mountain Beck: 'Cover Canal - ' .1 V 'J -. $ 4 ' . " ' -s , - - The body of a 27-year old resident of the Utah State Training School i was recovered Monday from the f murky waters of the Provo River Water Users Canal (commonly called the Murdock Canal). The search for Jack Cook ended - shortly after 2 p.m. when three -J employees of the Bureau of 'J Reclamation saw the body of a man 1 as they walked by the grate over the I siphon at the Point of the Mountain. The drowning is the third in North Utah County in the past month and the second in 10 days. Initial identification was made Utah County Sheriff Mack Holley said it is unknown how long the man had been in the water. The Murdock Canal runs through the north edge of the training school campus behind Men's Homeliving where the victim resided; however, spokesperson for the school said the canal is fenced all along its course through the school grounds. The body was taken to the state medical examiner's office, as required by law, and it is hoped the autopsy will determine how long the victim has been in the water. by the Utah County Sheriff's Office from laundry marks on the victim 's clothing. This was later confirmed by staff members from the training school. The man, described by training school officials as being moderately retarded, had been missing since July 18 when he walked away from the training school campus about 3 p.m. It was believed he may have been trying to reach home of his parents in the Vernal area. An all-points bulletin was put out by law enforcement officials at the time. "I think the time has come that the Murdock Canal needs to be covered," American Fork Mayor Malcolm H. Beck stated Tuesday after learning the canal had claimed another life. The canal, over the years of its existence, has taken the lives of many unsuspecting children and adults - individuals who either accidentally slipped into the hurrying waters or who went swimming in it, believing themselves them-selves stronger than the canal currents. The canal is owned by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and operated by Provo River Water Users' Association. The most recent victim is 27-year-old Jack Cook, a resident of the Utah State Training School, whose body was recovered from the canal near Point of the Mountain Monday. "Canal officials over the years have had the attitude of saying 'let the people teach their own kids to stay away from the water, it's not our concern,'" Mayor Beck said. "I disagree. There is no reason to run open canals through here (the populated communities) now, but there has never been an attempt to cover it or to fence it in all its existence." "I feel the time has come when those concerned have to look at the facts of life, and have to look at covering it," Mayor Beck said. He emphasized those wanting the canal covered are "not attempting to take the water rights from any users" as has been argued. Water users could still put in head gates as there are now, and the water could still be taken out, the mayor said. In fact, there would be more water available than there is now if it was put in a concrete, covered ditch, because there wouldn't be the water going into the ground that there is now, he added. JACK COOK |