Five members of a family lost their lives after a devastating flash flood swept through a Wayne County area near a campground, according to authorities.
The victims were identified by the Provo Fire Department as Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons, Reid, Thayne, and Gage.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the Sunglow Campground, located less than two miles from Bicknell, after a young male was discovered in a wash Friday evening. Authorities believed the individual was part of a family group that had been reported missing.
Search and rescue crews responded to the area and located the bodies of two additional family members in the same wash. The remaining two victims were found after an extensive search operation just after noon Saturday.
Officials said the family had traveled to the area earlier that day for hiking and canyoneering when heavy rain moved through the region. Investigators believe the three males were caught in the wash as flash flooding moved through the area.
The victims’ remains were transported to the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office as authorities continue their investigation into the tragic incident.
The loss of Spencer Long, Katrina, Reid, Thayne, and Gage has left their family, friends, colleagues, and the Provo Fire Department community devastated. Captain Long was a valued member of the department, and his dedication to serving others left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
Wayne County Sheriff Micah Gulley expressed gratitude to the agencies that assisted with the search and recovery efforts, including Sevier County Search and Rescue, the Utah Highway Patrol, and the helicopter crew from the Utah Department of Public Safety.
The family’s heartbreaking loss has brought an outpouring of support as loved ones and the community mourn five lives taken in a sudden and tragic flash flood.
The memories, love, and legacy of Spencer, Katrina, Reid, Thayne, and Gage will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved them.
