A flash flood in Keyhole Canyon just off State Road 9 on the east side of Zion claimed seven victims on Monday, Sept. 14. These victims were named by Zion National Park officials:
Linda Arthur, 57, and her husband, Steve Arthur, 58, of Camarillo, California
Robin Brum, 53, of Camarillo
Gary Favela, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
Mark MacKenzie, 56, of Valencia, California
Muku Reynolds, 59, of Chino, California
Don Teichner, 55, of Mesquite, Nevada
“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to those affected by the flash flooding in Keyhole Canyon,” said Zion Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh in a press release.
“We have witnessed an incredible community of the family members and friends of the canyoneers come together to support one another. The canyoneers along with their families and friends are in our thoughts.”
The Zion Park Incident Commander, Therese Pickard, said that canyoneering in slot canyons in Zion Park is an incredibly popular activity. She said that canyoneering is a combination of hiking, rappelling, swimming, problem solving, and route finding. In Zion National Park, canyoneering is done in unmaintained canyons that can be described as the wilderness. The conditions in any given canyon are constantly changing and require technical skill and good judgment.
The confirmed death toll for Sept. 14 now stands at 20 victims with one child still missing after the Hildale flood. Governor Gary Herbert has ordered the flags to be lowered to honor the lives lost in the southern Utah flash floods to serve as a tribute to the first responders after the flood.
“I join with other Utahns in mourning the tragedy in Washington County and Zion National Park,” Gov. Herbert said. “Jeanette and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones. I thank the first responders, volunteers and other officials involved in the recovery effort.”
The flags will be flown at half-staff at all state facilities from sunset to sunset Thursday and Friday.
Which outfitter/guiding company supplied them with gear and gave them instruction on that day? This is a more relevant question to address, say, than to blame the Park Service for liability/fault in this matter