A Utah firefighter captain, his wife, and their three sons died after flash flooding swept them away during a family hiking trip near Capitol Reef National Park, leaving their daughter as the sole surviving member of the household.

Five Family Members Lost in Sudden Flooding

Captain Spencer Long, 59, of the Provo Firefighters Union, his wife Katrina, and sons Gage, Reid, and Thayne were confirmed dead on Saturday after catastrophic floods struck Wayne County on Friday. The family had been hiking and canyoneering near Bicknell when severe thunderstorms dumped massive rainfall across the region in minutes. Their daughter Lydia was not on the trip and survived the tragedy that claimed her entire immediate family.

Wayne County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered three bodies Friday evening in a wash near Sunglow Campground, a steep box canyon sitting at 7,200 feet elevation. Captain Long and two of his sons were among those initially recovered. Search teams located the remaining two family members Saturday morning, concluding the devastating recovery effort that gripped the tight-knit Utah community.

Community Rallies Around Sole Survivor

Provo Fire and Rescue changed its Facebook profile to display a black mourning band before confirming the deaths Saturday evening. The department’s wildland rapid extraction team was pulled from fighting a nearby wildfire in Blanding to assist with recovery operations involving one of their own. Fire officials expressed heartbreak over losing Captain Long and his family, requesting privacy for the grieving process.

Katrina Long served as cofounder of Summit Medical Spa and formerly held office as a Mona City councilmember. City officials praised her dedication, stating she contributed countless service hours and made lasting impacts through her kindness and leadership. The community she served expressed gratitude for the family’s commitment to strengthening their town through active civic engagement.

Overwhelming Support for Orphaned Daughter

A GoFundMe campaign established by a family friend to cover funeral expenses and help Lydia rebuild her life surpassed its $100,000 target within 24 hours. The fundraiser acknowledges no monetary amount can replace the loss Lydia faces, but aims to ease burdens and demonstrate community support. Organizers emphasized every contribution reminds the young woman she remains surrounded by caring neighbors during unimaginable grief as she navigates life without her parents and three brothers.