For years, Spencer and Katrina Long built a life centered around service, family, and adventure. They were the kind of family who did almost everything together — from helping on a cattle ranch in Utah to attending hockey games, exploring mountains, and chasing outdoor adventures with their children.
But their final trip ended in a tragedy that left their community devastated and raised painful questions about how quickly nature can change.
The Long family — Spencer, Katrina, and their three sons Reid, Thayne, and Gage — died after a sudden flooding event while exploring the Sunglow Campground area in Wayne County, Utah, on July 17, 2026.
Authorities said the family had traveled there to hike, camp, rappel, and go canyoneering. They arrived around midday, but later that day, rescue crews were called after victims were discovered in a wash.
By the following day, officials confirmed all five family members had been found deceased.
Spencer Long: The Fire Captain Who Lived to Serve Others
Before becoming a respected captain with Provo Fire and Rescue, Spencer Long grew up on a cattle ranch in Vernal, Utah, where his brothers remember him as a natural leader.
He was known as the family’s adventurer — the person who always wanted to climb higher, hike farther, and explore one more trail.
His brothers jokingly called him “the mountain goat” because of his incredible endurance.
Spencer spent 17 years serving with Provo Fire and Rescue, working as a firefighter, paramedic, airport firefighter, and wildland team engine boss.
He was also part of Utah Task Force 1, a specialized search-and-rescue team that responded to major disasters.
Fire Chief Jeremy Headman described Spencer as someone who did everything for the department.
“He was one of the people in our department who just did everything,” the chief said.
Despite his demanding career, Spencer’s greatest pride was always his family. Friends and colleagues remembered him spending countless hours outdoors with his sons, taking them dirt biking, hiking, and traveling long distances for their hockey games.
Katrina Long: The Entrepreneur With a Heart for Others
Katrina Gubler Long brought a different strength to the family. While Spencer was known for his adventurous personality, Katrina was remembered as organized, determined, and deeply compassionate.
She co-founded Summit Medical Spa and built a successful business while also supporting first responders and families facing difficult situations.
Friends said Katrina’s work went far beyond business. Because of Spencer’s career, she understood the emotional toll placed on firefighters and emergency workers.
“She wanted to make sure they were OK,” friend Sam Butler said, explaining that Katrina wanted people to have a place where they could process grief and hardship.
Those who knew her described her as fierce, loving, and someone who always showed up for others.
The Children Who Shared Their Parents’ Love of Adventure
The Long family included five children in a blended family.
Katrina’s older children, Reid and Lydia Vernon, were embraced by Spencer as his own. The couple later welcomed sons Thayne and Gage.
Reid had recently returned from an LDS mission and was remembered as exceptionally intelligent and thoughtful.
Thayne, 13, loved hockey and played as a goalie. Gage, 12, was known for his incredible memory and passion for sports.
The family shared countless moments outdoors, and relatives said they were rarely separated.
“They were always together,” family members recalled. Whether they were hiking, attending games, or helping on the ranch, the Longs lived life as a team.
The One Child Who Was Not on the Trip
The tragedy left one member of the family behind: Lydia.
At the time of the accident, Lydia was in Kentucky working as a registered nurse.
That ordinary difference in schedules ultimately saved her life.
Family members said Lydia still has a strong support system around her and that relatives from both sides of her family will continue standing beside her.
Friends described her as carrying many of Katrina’s qualities — strong, determined, and resilient.
“They Had All the Right Gear”
One of the most heartbreaking details shared after the tragedy was that the family had prepared carefully.
Relatives said Spencer knew the outdoors well. He had years of rescue experience, understood wilderness conditions, and loved exploring Utah.
Katrina was known as the planner who carefully considered details before family trips.
“They had all the right gear, they had the right equipment, they were checking weather conditions,” relatives said.
Yet the sudden danger of flash flooding proved impossible to overcome.
Officials said heavy rain and flooding were believed to be contributing factors in the deaths. Authorities later warned that storms miles away can create dangerous flash floods in canyons, even when conditions appear calm nearby.
A Family Remembered for Love and Adventure
The loss of the Long family shocked their community, but those who knew them said their legacy was clear.
They were a family who served others, loved deeply, and embraced every opportunity to create memories together.
Spencer’s brothers said future outdoor adventures would continue — not because the loss was easy, but because the outdoors represented the life Spencer and Katrina built.
“They truly lived life to the fullest,” Weston Long said.
For those left behind, Spencer, Katrina, Reid, Thayne, and Gage will always be remembered as a family who chose love, faith, and adventure every day they were together.
