Utah firefighter and four family members killed in flash flooding



Spencer Long in uniform
An image published by Provo Fire & Rescue showing Captain Spencer Long in his firefighter uniform in front of two flags.


Five members of a Utah family were killed in a flash flood over the weekend while hiking in the southern part of the U.S. state. The victims included fire captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons – Reid, Thayne and Gage – and the sole survivor is their daughter, who did not join the outing.


Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said the family was “believed to have fallen victim to flooding caused by heavy rains.” The sheriff’s statement did not name those who were killed.


Captain Long was identified by Provo Fire & Rescue, which issued a statement expressing heartache over the loss of the firefighter and his family and offering support to relatives and colleagues.


A GoFundMe page links the sheriff’s statement with the department’s announcement, listing Long, his wife Katrina, and sons Reid, Thayne and Gage as deceased, while noting that the daughter’s life was forever changed in an instant. The fundraiser seeks to provide assistance to the family and the community.


The family had arrived at a campground near Bicknell for a day trip on Friday. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the site around 5:00 p.m. local time; a young male victim was found dead. Subsequent searches uncovered two additional male victims. By Saturday, the remaining two individuals were also confirmed dead, ending the search effort.