Daughter who was not on trip survived
The five family members who set out for a day of hiking were killed after a flash flood swept through canyons of southern Utah on Friday, law enforcement officials said.
The victims were a captain in the Provo, Utah, fire department, his wife and their three sons, according to fire officials. A daughter who was not on the trip survived.
The family arrived Friday at Sunglow Campground in a scenic red rock canyon near Bicknell, Utah, for their day excursion, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said.
“It is believed the family fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Although the sheriff’s office did not identify the victims, the Provo Fire Department confirmed in a social media post that the fire captain was Spencer Long and that his family members 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,” officials with the fire department wrote.
Later Friday night, deputies were called to the campground after the body of a young male was found in the flood wash. The bodies of the other family members were recovered late Friday and Saturday.