Five members of a single family lost their lives Friday when a sudden flash flood ripped through canyons in southern Utah, according to law enforcement officials.
The victims included a captain with the Provo, Utah fire department, along with his wife and their sons. A daughter who was not part of the outing survived the tragedy.
The family had traveled to Sunglow Campground, located in a picturesque red rock canyon near Bicknell, Utah, for a day excursion, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office reported.
“It is believed the family fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains,” the sheriff’s office stated in an official release.
While the sheriff’s office did not release the victims’ names, the Provo Fire Department confirmed their identities through a social media post, identifying the fire captain as Spencer Long.
“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,” the fire department wrote.
Deputies were first called to the campground late Friday evening after a young male’s body was discovered in the flood wash. The remaining family members’ bodies were recovered later that Friday night and into Saturday.
As news spread, an outpouring of tributes followed. A GoFundMe campaign was created by a family friend to help support the Longs’ surviving daughter. According to the page, Spencer and his wife Katrina, along with their sons Reid, Thayne, and Gage, all perished in the floodwaters.
“Spencer and Katrina were loving, devoted parents whose greatest joy was their family. They touched the lives of so many with their kindness, generosity, and unwavering love,” wrote Bree Nielson on the fundraising page.
Katrina Long was a co-founder of a medical spa. “Our hearts are with all of their loved ones as we grieve the unimaginable loss of Katrina, her husband, and their three beautiful boys,” Summit Medical Spa shared in a Facebook post.
