A Provo Fire Department captain, his wife, and their three sons died after a flash flood swept through a canyon in southern Utah on Friday, July 17, according to law enforcement officials. The family had set out for a day of hiking in the red rock canyon near Bicknell, Utah.
Victims Identified as Fire Captain Spencer Long and Family
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office reported that the family arrived at Sunglow Campground for their day excursion. Heavy rains caused flooding that likely led to their deaths, the sheriff's office stated. Although officials initially withheld names, the Provo Fire Department confirmed in a social media post that Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their sons Reid, Thayne, and Gage were killed.
“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. The department also changed its Facebook profile photo to the agency's badge with a black bar across the emblem to mark the death of a member.
Bodies Recovered Over Two Days
Deputies were called to the campground Friday night after the body of a young male was found in the flood wash. The remains of the other family members were recovered later Friday and Saturday, July 18. A daughter who did not accompany them on the trip survived the tragedy.
A GoFundMe campaign was organized by a family friend to support the Longs’ daughter Lydia, who lost her entire immediate family. “Our Provo Fire family is heartbroken to lose Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons Reid, Thayne and Gage due to a devastating flash flood Thursday evening,” the fundraiser page reads. “In an instant, their daughter Lydia lost the people she loved most and is now facing an unimaginable future without them.”
