The Grand County Sheriff's Office in Moab, Utah, said it believes a University of Texas at El Paso student drowned in the Colorado River on Wednesday, sheriff's officials said.

Waley Liang, 21, was participating in a UTEP Geology Club field trip with five other students when he was swept away by the Colorado River at the Gold Bar recreation area near Moab.

Grand County Sheriff Steven White told KFOX14 rescue crews responded to the scene and helped search for the man with boats, helicopters and divers. However, they no longer anticipate finding Liang alive.

"After last night, everything switched from a rescue to a recovery mode," said White.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the group had walked about 50 yards across the river to an island directly across the recreational area. Liang stayed at the camp and tried to walk across the river at about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Officials said Liang slipped or fell while trying to walk across the river and was swept downstream. The group on the island tried to swim to his location but was unsuccessful. A member of the group called 911 and continued to swim and walk the bank to try and locate him.

White told KFOX14 the point where Liang went in is a popular area.

"The water level low enough to walk out across on to island, at certain points, you don't even have to swim. You can walk across," said White.

While officials do not anticipate finding Liang alive, there is no time frame on the search.

"Diver recovery time can be anywhere from five days to 21, or longer,” said White.
"I've seen these things take six to eight months," White said. "We'll continue to search until we feel like we've exhausted every effort."

"We are extremely concerned for the well-being of Waley, and the university is doing everything possible to support the family and to assist the rest of the students who are on the trip," said UTEP President Diana Natalicio.

The group was accompanied by Jose Hurtado, Ph.D., an associate professor of geological sciences, an adviser to the Geology Club and a parent of one of the students.

Geology students told KFOX14 they received a mass email that alerted them to the accident.

Laura Serpa, Ph.D., chairwoman of the UTEP Department of Geological Sciences, said it is not uncommon for students to participate in field trips such as this one.

"We have numerous field trips year-round for geology students," Serpa said. "We are monitoring the search effort in Utah and are ready to assist in any way we can."

The other students on the trip were to be flown back to El Paso on Thursday, officials said.

Liang is a junior and in his first semester at UTEP, having transferred from El Paso Community College. He is a 2009 Franklin High School graduate.