Seven members of a group called the Valencia Hiking Crew were killed when flash floods hit Zion National Park in Utah earlier this week, the National Park Service revealed Thursday.
Sgt. Robert “Steve” Arthur and his wife Linda were with the group of canyoneers in Keyhole Canyon when a series of flash floods struck the region Monday, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Steve Arthur’s body was positively identified on Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office stated. His wife’s body was found Thursday morning.
The bodies of five others who were killed in the storm were also recovered, according to an update on the National Park Service website.
They were identified Thursday as Mark MacKenzie, 56, of Valencia; Gary Favela, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga; Muku Reynolds, 59, of Chino; Robin Brum, 53, of Camarillo; and Don Teichner, 55, of Mesquite, Nevada.
Michelle MacGilfrey, the assistant organizer for the Valencia Hiking Crew, posted a comment Thursday on the Zion National Park’s Facebook page thanking the search and rescue teams for their efforts.
“We are a close-knit group and I know I speak for everyone by saying how much we appreciate all your hard efforts to find our friends and loved ones. These were incredible people and they will be deeply missed,” the post read.
Steve Author was a 21-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to the Camarillo Police Department as the Traffic Supervisor, according to the news release.
“Steve was known for his tireless efforts working with local youth both on and off duty and possessed a huge compassion for humanity,” the news release read.
The couple is survived by three adult children and seven grandchildren, according to the Sheriff’s Office.