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Five family members found dead after flash flood in Utah canyon, police say

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Five family members, including a fire captain, his wife, and their three sons, died in a flash flood in a Utah canyon.
  • The family was on a day excursion hiking trip when the flood occurred on Friday.
  • A daughter, who was not on the trip, survived and is being supported by a GoFundMe campaign.

A devastating flash flood in a southern Utah canyon claimed the lives of five members of a single family, including a captain in the Provo fire department, his wife, and their three sons. The family had gathered at the Sunglow campground near Bicknell, Utah, for a day of hiking on Friday when the sudden torrent of water swept through the area.

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.

— Provo Fire Department officialsExpressing condolences after the death of Captain Spencer Long and his family.

Authorities believe heavy rains triggered the flooding. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident, and the Provo Fire Department later identified Captain Spencer Long and his family as the victims. A social media post from the fire department expressed profound sorrow, extending condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Captain Long.

Deputies discovered the body of a young man on Friday night, with the remains of the other family members recovered later that night and into Saturday. Tributes have poured in for the family, remembering Spencer and Katrina Long as devoted parents whose greatest joy was their children. Their sons, Reid, Thayne, and Gage, also perished in the tragedy. A GoFundMe page has been established by a family friend to support the Longs’ sole surviving daughter as she copes with the immense loss.

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.

— Bree NielsonDescribing the victims on the GoFundMe page.

Katrina Long was also recognized as the co-founder of a medical spa. The staff at Summit Medical Spa shared their grief on Facebook, mourning the "unimaginable loss" of Katrina, her husband, and their three sons. The community is rallying around the surviving daughter during this incredibly difficult time.

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 SpaPosting on Facebook to mourn the loss of the family.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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