On Friday, July 17, 2026, a family arrived at Sunglow Campground near Bicknell, Utah, around 11:30 a.m. to go hiking and canyoneering in the scenic red rock canyon. They had no idea that a sudden natural catastrophe was about to unfold.
Around 5:00 p.m. that same afternoon, Wayne County officials received a frantic call after a young male victim was found dead in a nearby flood wash. Emergency crews rushed to the scene to launch an immediate search.
The two younger boys show off their matching suits and bright grins, capturing the playful camaraderie shared among the brothers. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
Local resident James Todd Manwill was sitting on his front patio nearby when emergency vehicles began racing past his home. He saw law enforcement officers from Sevier County, Wayne County, and the Utah Highway Patrol speeding toward the canyon.
Manwill noted that it was not even raining at his house at the time, making the sudden rush of emergency vehicles baffling. He realized that something terrible must have happened up in the wash.
As search and rescue teams moved through the muddy terrain on Friday night, they discovered two more male victims deceased. Darkness forced rescuers to navigate dangerous conditions as they searched for two remaining missing individuals.
Fire Captain Spencer Long wraps his arm around one of his young sons, both wearing matching, full-body white zippered outfits. This proud father-son moment shows the quiet and guiding influence Spencer had in his family’s lives. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
The grueling operation ended around noon on Saturday when searchers located the final two bodies. Officials from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all five victims were accounted for in a horrific outcome.
According to detailed reporting from FOX 13 News, heavy rain upstream caused a massive surge of water through the canyon wash. The sudden flood proved completely fatal for the unsuspecting hikers.
Spencer stands at the forefront with hands respectfully clasped, posing indoors with his three handsome sons, Reid, Thayne, and Gage, on a nearby stairway. The quartet looks unified and sharp in their tailored suits, representing a legacy of strength and unity. | Source: Facebook/katrina.g.long
