In brief
A fatal surprise flash flood took the lives of fire captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons on a family outing in Bicknell, Utah. The tragedy unfolded after they were hiking and the area was struck by heavy rains. Officials confirmed a sudden flooding event, while Provo Fire & Rescue mourned the loss of Long and his family. A GoFundMe page has been set up to aid the surviving daughter and relatives. The investigation into the cause of the flood continues.
A tragic sweep of Sanction, the Utah family of five, including fire captain Spencer Long, lost their lives amid a flash flood that rose out of a sudden thunderstorm during a weekend hike near Bicknell.
Spencer Long, a respected Provo Fire & Rescue captain, was accompanied by his wife Katrina and three sons – Reid, Thayne and Gage – as they set out to enjoy a day of outdoor recreation. A young daughter who had stayed home survived the disaster.
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office officials say the family fell victim to the unexpected onslaught of flooding caused by heavy rainfall that swept the area by evening of Friday, when local police were called to a campground and discovered the first mortal victim. Search crews were deployed, and within hours three more victims were found, bringing the total to five.
Provo Fire & Rescue publicly confirmed the loss of Long and his family, issuing a heartfelt statement: "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 sheriff’s brief statement, coupled with a GoFundMe campaign, identified the deceased as Long, his wife, and their three sons, noting the impact of the tragedy on their surviving daughter. The fundraising page also addresses the suddenness of the incident and the community’s response.
Investigators continue to assess the storm and flooding conditions that led to the disaster, while local communities pull together to support the survivors and relatives in the aftermath of the catastrophic loss.
