Five Family Members Die in Utah Flash Flood

The bodies of five family members have been recovered from a southern Utah canyon after heavy rains triggered flash floods on Friday, according to local authorities.

The victims include a fire captain from Provo, Utah, his wife and their three sons, the Associated Press reported. A daughter, who did not join the family on the excursion, survived.

Emergency responders first arrived at the Sunglow Campground, located in a red rock canyon near Bicknell, Utah, late Friday night after the body of a young male was discovered in a flood wash. Search teams recovered the remaining four bodies later that night and into Saturday, as reported by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

“It is believed the family fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains,” the sheriff’s office stated in a news release.

Though local law enforcement did not publicly name the victims, the Provo Fire Department confirmed that one of its leaders, Captain Spencer Long, died in the incident.

Officials with the fire department posted to social media: “We are absolutely heartbroken by the death of Captain Spencer Long and his family. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family and the ongoing official process, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

The family had arrived at the campground on Friday for a day of hiking before the weather turned severe. Tributes from colleagues and community members have since highlighted the scale of the tragedy.

A GoFundMe page organized by a family friend identified the other victims as Long’s wife, Katrina, and their sons, Reid, Thayne and Gage. The online fundraiser was created to support the surviving daughter, Lydia.

“Spencer and Katrina were loving, devoted parents whose greatest joy was their family,” Bree Nielson wrote on the page. “They touched the lives of so many with their kindness, generosity, and unwavering love. As Lydia begins the long journey of grieving and rebuilding her life, she is also facing many unexpected financial burdens.

“No amount of money can take away Lydia’s pain or replace the family she has lost. But together, we can help ease some of the burdens she now carries and remind her that she is not alone. Every donation, no matter the amount, is a meaningful expression of love and support.”

So far, Nielson has raised roughly $218,000 of her $250,000 goal.

Katrina Long was the co-founder of Summit Medical Spa, which also publicly acknowledged the tragedy.