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California man dies after ATV accident at a southern Utah recreation area

The man may have experienced cardiac arrest.

A California man died while riding an ATV in a recreation area in Washington County.

Utah State Park rangers were called to the Sand Mountain Recreation Area around 7:30 p.m. Sunday to respond to a report of an accident and someone possibly experiencing cardiac arrest.

According to a release by the Utah Department of Parks and Recreation, Erik Alvarez, 36, of Artesia, Calif., was visiting the area with a group — but had been riding an ATV solo when the accident apparently happened. Another member of the group found Alvarez and called for help.

First responders attempted to revive Alvarez, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alvarez was believed to have been wearing a helmet when the accident happened, the release said.

Sand Mountain, near Sand Hollow State Park, is a popular spot for off-road vehicles and is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

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