The tragic incident took place in southern Utah on Friday, July 17
Credit: Provo Fire & Rescue Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife and their three sons were killed in a flash flood while hiking in Utah on Friday, July 17
- Authorities believe the family arrived at the Sunglow Campground area at around 11:30 a.m.
- “We are absolutely heartbroken by the death of Captain Spencer Long and his family,” Provo Fire & Rescue shared on social media
A fire captain, his wife and their three sons have died after a flash flood in southern Utah.
The family were hiking through the canyons near Bicknell on Friday, July 17, when heavy rain began to fall, according to the Associated Press.
They were identified as fire captain Spencer Long and his family by Provo Fire & Rescue, per the outlet. A daughter did not go on the trip.
The family are believed to have arrived at the Sunglow Campground area at around 11:30 a.m., according to a release from the Wayne County, Utah Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office stated that they responded to the scene at around 5 p.m. following a report of a body being found.
Credit: FOX 13 News Utah/Youtube
“Deputies arrived and discovered the body of a young male in a wash near the Sunglow Campground,” the July 18 release read. “Wayne County Search and Rescue was activated to search for any additional individuals for what is believed to be a missing family group in the area.”
Authorities added, “During the search, two additional deceased males were found in the same wash. At this time, it is believed the family fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains.”
In an update, the Wayne County, Utah Sheriff’s Office stated that as of 12:13 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, two other missing people had been found deceased in Bicknell.
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“Identities of the deceased will NOT be released until families have been notified and positive identification has been made,” the statement said at the time.
On Sunday, July 19, Provo Fire & Rescue paid tribute to their late captain Long.
“We are absolutely heartbroken by the death of Captain Spencer Long and his family,” they wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Long. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Out of respect for the family and the ongoing official process, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the Wayne County, Utah Sheriff’s Office, Provo Fire & Rescue and the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office for further comment.
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