Flash Flood Claims Utah Firefighter and Family
A sudden flash flood raided southern Utah last weekend, taking the lives of five members of a single family. Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons died while out hiking near Bicknell.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the victims were struck by inundation caused by heavy rainfall. The deaths were first reported when investigators reached a campground around 5 p.m. on Friday and found one of the family members already deceased.
Further searches uncovered the same fate for two more family members. By Saturday the search teams located the remaining two victims, confirming all five members had perished.
Provo Fire & Rescue expressed deep sorrow, issuing a statement that read: “We are heart‑broken over the loss of Captain Spencer Long and his family. Our thoughts are with those left behind.”
A GoFundMe page has been opened to assist the surviving daughter and support the grieving relatives. The memorial page notes that the family’s daughter was not part of the hiking trip and her life “has forever been changed in an instant.”
The tragedy highlights the sudden dangers of flash floods, especially in areas that experience rapid rainfall after a dry spell. Residents and visitors are urged to heed weather warnings and remain cautious when venturing into outdoor recreation sites.
