A Provo fire captain, his wife and their three sons died after a sudden flash flood tore through the southern Utah canyons where the family had been hiking, authorities said.
Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their sons Reid, Thayne and Gage were on a Friday outing near the Sunglow campground, a red rock canyon area close to Bicknell, when investigators believe they “fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains,” according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were dispatched to the campground Friday night after the body of a young man was discovered in the flood wash.
The remains of the four other family members were found later Friday and into Saturday as search and recovery efforts continued.
During the operation, the Provo Firefighters Union said on Instagram that its wildland rapid extraction module team had left the Babylon wildfire response in Blanding “to assist/aid in efforts of the current situation involving one of their own.”
Provo Fire and Rescue subsequently confirmed that Captain Long and his family were among those killed.
“We are absolutely devastated by the death of Capt. Spencer Long and his family,” the department wrote in a Facebook post Saturday. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
The announcement drew an outpouring of grief online, with community members sharing memories and tributes to the Long family.
Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long and his family were killed when a devastating flash flood swept through the canyons they were hiking on in southern Utah on Friday
Long, his wife Katrina, and their sons Reid, Thayne and Gage embarked on a trek across the Sunglow campground in a scenic red rock canyon near Bicknell on Friday when it is believed they ‘fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains
‘I remember in high school when I was an intern with Provo Fire, we stopped to grab some food and my debit card was declining,’ Tanner Atwater wrote.
‘Spencer was with us working the box that day, and he stepped in and bought my lunch. It was only like $7 maybe $10 at most, so not a lot of money or anything big, I insisted on paying him back but he was adamant for me not to worry about it, it was on the house,’ he recounted. ‘I’ll always cherish that memory.’
Brad Adams also wrote that ‘words cannot describe the great sadness this brings to all that knew Spencer, his wife and children.
‘He was a fine young man and I loved working with him at Provo,’ Adams commented. ‘May God bless his family as they go through this hard time.’
Tributes also poured in for Katrina, a former councilmember in Mona City who co-founded Summit Medical Spa.
‘Katrina dedicated countless hours of service to our community, and her kindness, leadership and commitment made a lasting impact on so many lives,’ city officials said in a statement. ‘We will forever be grateful for all that Katrina and her family have done to support and strengthen our community.’
‘Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with her family, especially her daughter Lydia, and all who knew and loved them during this difficult time,’ the city officials continued, adding: ‘Katrina’s legacy of service and compassion will not be forgotten.’
Summit Medical Spa also released a statement, saying ‘there are simply no words to express the depth of this loss.
Mona City officials remembered Spencer and Katrina for their service to the community
Katrina was a former councilmember in Mona City who co-founded Summit Medical Spa
‘Katrina was so much more than a co-founder – she was the heart of Summit Medical Spa. She led with kindness, grace and unwavering compassion, making every employee, client and friend feel valued, supported and truly cared for.
‘She had a remarkable gift for bringing people together and creating a place where everyone felt like a family.’
The spa went on to call the matriarch ‘an exceptional leader, an inspiring businesswoman and an extraordinary person whose generosity and love for others touched countless lives.
‘Her legacy is woven into everything Summit stands for and her impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
‘Our hearts are with all of their loved ones as we grieve the unimaginable loss of Katrina, her husband and their three beautiful boys,’ the spa said.
‘We ask that you keep their family, friends and everyone whose lives they touched in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.’
‘As we mourn this devastating loss, we also celebrate the kindness, love and light that Katrina shared so freely with the world. We are forever grateful for the privilege of knowing her, learning from her and being part of the dream she helped build.
‘The Long family will forever remain in our hearts and their legacy will live on through the lives they touched and the community they helped create.
‘Forever loved. Forever remembered.’
An online fundraiser has been started for the couple’s surviving daughter, Lydia
The spa further asked the community to step up to help support the couple’s surviving daughter, Lydia, who was not with them on the hike.
‘In an instant, their daughter Lydia lost the people she loved most and is now facing an unimaginable future without them,’ an online fundraiser to help support her reads.
‘Spencer and Katrina were loving, devoted parents whose greatest joy was their family. They touched the lives of so many with their kindness, generosity and unwavering love.
‘Today, we have the opportunity to honor them by surrounding Lydia with the same love and support they so freely gave to others.
‘No amount of money can take away Lydia’s pain or replace the family she has lost,’ the fundraiser notes. ‘But together, we can help ease some of the burdens she now carries and remind her that she is not alone.
‘Every donation, no matter the amount, is a meaningful expression of love and support.’
As of Sunday night, the community had raised nearly $160,000 to help Lydia.
