Armik Aghakhani Assists in Multi-Hour Rescue Following Lake Powell Boating Accident

While celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary on Lake Powell, Armik Aghakhani and his family helped rescue stranded passengers, cared for frightened children, and worked alongside first responders after a serious boating accident.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2026 / What began as a family vacation celebrating a milestone anniversary quickly turned into an hours-long rescue effort after Armik Aghakhani and his family responded to a serious boating accident on Lake Powell.

On the evening of July 15, Armik Aghakhani, his wife, and their family were enjoying the final days of a houseboat trip celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary when they noticed a boat speeding past carrying approximately 13 passengers, including several young children and six adults.

Moments later, the boat struck a large submerged rock due to low water levels on the lake.

The impact was severe. Two female passengers were thrown from the boat onto the rock, suffering significant injuries, including a broken hip, broken leg, deep lacerations, and heavy bleeding. As darkness approached, the damaged boat began taking on water while the stranded group found themselves without cellular service to call for help.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Aghakhani and his family immediately shifted from vacation mode to emergency response.

“We knew there wasn’t time to hesitate,” Aghakhani said. “Everyone had a role. We focused on getting people to safety one person at a time.”

Using two personal watercraft, the family carefully transported passengers from the damaged boat to the safety of their houseboat. Over the next three hours, they evacuated the group one passenger at a time while contacting emergency dispatch, coordinating with National Park Service personnel, and requesting medical helicopters.

While awaiting emergency responders, the family administered first aid, worked to control bleeding, and helped stabilize the injured passengers.

As the rescue continued, another need quickly became apparent.

The young children who had been involved in the accident were frightened, exhausted, and hungry.

“We wanted the children to feel safe,” Aghakhani said. “While the adults focused on the emergency, we prepared dinner, gave them a place to sit, and tried to keep them calm.”

Soon, two medical helicopters landed nearby, and National Park Service emergency personnel arrived to provide advanced medical care.

Even after emergency responders reached the scene, Aghakhani continued assisting.

He helped paramedics safely transport the injured women across the rocky shoreline to the helicopters in the darkness so they could be flown to a trauma center for treatment.

The elderly passenger later underwent surgery to repair her broken hip and is now recovering. The second injured woman received emergency treatment for a severe leg laceration and has since returned home to continue her recovery.

The rescue effort did not end there.

After the medical evacuations, Aghakhani worked alongside two of the family’s younger adult passengers to free the heavily damaged boat from the rock where it had become lodged. Together, they carefully towed the disabled vessel to shore so it could be secured until it could be recovered.

With the stranded family still facing the challenge of returning to their own houseboat, Aghakhani made another unexpected decision.

He offered the speedboat his family had rented for their own vacation so the uninjured adults and children could safely make the trip back that evening.

“It never felt like a decision,” Aghakhani said. “If your family has what another family needs in that moment, you simply help.”

Throughout the evening, Aghakhani credited everyone involved with working together under difficult conditions.

“The first responders were outstanding,” he said. “Our family, the park rangers, the paramedics, and the flight crews all worked toward the same goal. It showed what people can accomplish when everyone stays focused.”

Thanks to the combined efforts of Aghakhani, his family, National Park Service personnel, paramedics, and the helicopter flight crews, the injured passengers received the urgent medical care they needed, the children remained safe throughout the ordeal, and what could have become a far greater tragedy ended with everyone accounted for.

Reflecting on the experience, Aghakhani hopes others remember the importance of staying calm and looking after one another during emergencies.

“You never expect your vacation to turn into a rescue,” he said. “But when someone needs help, you do what you can. That’s what communities are built on.”

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Armik Aghakhani

Armik Aghakhani is the Managing Partner of Chartered International LLP, a Beverly Hills-based accounting and advisory firm. Beyond his professional career, he is actively involved in charitable initiatives supporting children with autism, youth development, faith-based organizations, animal welfare, and community outreach. His philanthropic work includes supporting organizations such as Focus on Children Now, ACOP Youth, ACOP’s Race for a Cause, Women in Aviation International, and the First Church of the Nazarene.

Contact:

Info@armikaghakhanibeverlyhills.com

SOURCE: Armik Aghakhani

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire