LOGAN — A 27-year-old BASE jumper who died Sunday morning in a fatal recreational accident in Cache County has been identified as a Salt Lake City firefighter, department officials confirmed Monday.
Gabe Reilly, who served with the Salt Lake City Fire Department for the past four years, died after a jump went wrong near Millville Canyon. Reilly was a second-generation firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, who retired from the department in 2024.
Cache County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue teams responded to the incident around 9:10 a.m. Sunday near Leetham’s Hollow, just east of Millville Canyon. Authorities said Reilly was among a group of eight to 10 individuals participating in wingsuit flying. Officials noted that Reilly was an experienced jumper who had engaged in the extreme sport many times prior to the accident.
During a jump from a 700-foot elevation, something went wrong with the maneuver, and Reilly failed to achieve enough lift in his wingsuit, according to sheriff’s officials. He crashed into the ground at a high rate of speed and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rescuers located and recovered Reilly’s body with assistance from a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter and a Life Flight crew.
“Gabe was known for his infectious smile, kind-heartedness, and his free-spirited nature,” the Salt Lake City Fire Department said in a statement. “Gabe’s commitment to the department, his fellow firefighters, and the community will not be forgotten.”
The department extended its deepest condolences to the Reilly family, asking the public and community to respect their privacy as they mourn the loss.