A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded for a 23-year-old woman when flash floods claimed the lives of her mother, stepfather, and three brothers during a family hike in Utah.
Spencer and Katrina Long, both aged 44, along with their sons Thayne, 13, Gage, 12, and Reid, were swept away by sudden torrential rains while hiking near the Sunglow campground, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities responded to the scene that night following the discovery of a young man’s body in the floodwaters.
Spencer, a respected Provo Fire Captain, and two of his sons were found later that night. Katrina and their remaining son were located the next morning.
Lydia Vernon, the biological daughter and sister of the victims, was absent during the ill-fated outing. She now confronts the harrowing reality of moving forward without five cherished family members, as noted on a GoFundMe page.
While Lydia, a recent nursing school graduate of Murray State University, tries to grieve her family, she has also been faced with sudden financial burdens, the fundraiser stated.
As of Monday morning, more than $200,000 had been raised to help her fund funeral, housing, counseling, and educational expenses, among other costs.
The tight-knit community also came together to welcome Lydia home, as several people held up American flags and lined the street of the family’s home in Mona, emotional footage revealed.
Spencer and Katrina Long, both 44, and their three sons, Thayne, 13, Gage, 12, and Reid, died after a devastating flash flood hit a Utah campground on Friday
Lydia recently graduated nursing school at Murray State University. She was not with them on the family hike
Firetrucks, an ambulance, police cars, and several fire department vehicles were parked outside the home.
A large US flag was also attached to a fire truck ladder and raised in the air over the home, the clip showed.
Smaller American flags were placed in the front yard to honor the late family.
Lydia’s surviving family has also taken to social media to share their support for her during this difficult time.
‘Our family is devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of our son, Captain Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina, and their sons Reid, Thayne, and Gage,’ Wendi Long, Spencer’s mother, wrote on Facebook.
‘They were taken in a flash flood near Sunglow Campground. Their daughter, Lydia, survives and needs our love and support.’
Wendi further detailed that Spencer was her and her husband’s eldest son, and someone ‘we all looked up to’.
‘Spencer served as a captain with Provo Fire & Rescue and brought to that role decades of hands-on experience as a wildland firefighter, paramedic, and search and rescue. He answered the call to serve, to protect, and to teach others,’ she said of her late son.
Spencer, a decorated Provo Fire Captain, and two of his sons, were located that night. His wife and their other son were discovered the following morning
Reid recently returned home from a mission in Colombia that he went on with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
Wendi remembered her daughter-in-law as the ‘heart of their home’, and a successful cofounder.
After news broke of their deaths, the business shared that Katrina ‘led with kindness, grace, and unwavering compassion’ in her role.
And their three sons appeared to follow in Spencer and Katrina’s footsteps, with Reid recently returning home from a mission in Colombia that he went on with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Wendi revealed.
She said that Reid, whom Katrina shared with her former husband Joshua Vernon, ‘carried a deep love for his church and calling’.
Meanwhile, Thayne, the eldest biological child that Spencer and Katrina shared, had his own business at the age of 13.
According to his grandmother, Thayne ran Juab Detailing, a local car detailing company.
Katrina would often post about all of her children and husband’s accomplishments on her Facebook page
Katrina shared Reid and Lydia (pictured) with her ex-husband, Joshua Vernon
He also enjoyed hockey, boxing, and spending time outdoors, Wendi shared.
Gage, the youngest of the children, also loved the outdoors and playing hockey. He also ‘struggled with his diabetes but he never let it get him down and always had a smile on his face,’ she added.
Katrina would often post about her husband and children’s accomplishments on her Facebook page.
Funeral arrangements for the family have not been announced yet.
The Daily Mail contacted the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for comment.