Overview
- A report of a found body near Sunglow Campground prompted deputies to search the area, and search-and-rescue teams recovered multiple victims after sudden heavy rain produced fast-moving flash floods.
- Officials say the family arrived to hike and canyoneer and that flooding from heavy rainfall is the suspected cause of the deaths, though the incident remains under investigation.
- Provo Fire and a GoFundMe linked to the department identified the victims as Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina and their sons Reid, Thayne and Gage, and said their daughter Lydia survived but was profoundly affected.
- All recovered bodies were taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for positive identification and next-of-kin notification before official releases of names.
- Local officials and residents have raised questions about flood warnings and public-safety measures for campers and canyoneers during monsoon-season storms that can produce sudden, localized flash floods.