Three Utah tourists were sucked to their death after getting trapped in a whirlpool during a hike in a popular California beauty spot.
Jeannine Skinner, 34, David Bell, 48, and Pete On, 48, drowned while canyoneering along the Seven Teacups trail in Tulare County – about 80 miles northeast of Bakersfield – on Friday afternoon.
The three friends and a group of others were nearing the end of their adventure when Jeannine decided to jump from the four foot drop into a ‘little pool.’
David and Pete then jumped in after her when they realized Jeannine failed to surface after getting trapped in the undercurrent.
They both broke free of the strong current before going back in to save Jeannine, but the three of them lost consciousness. Others attempted CPR on them for more than 20 minutes, but they didn’t survive.
David’s sisters, Summerisa Bell Stevens and Valecia Green said that the group ‘had a seamless day canyoneering together’ before the fatal incident.
‘The leader [of the group] had done this trip, I think she said 15 times, so it was just the very last four foot drop into a pool, a little pool,’ Valecia told KSL-TV.
Steven added that from the top of Seven Teacups nobody would’ve been able to notice if something was off in the water.
‘There was a circular current that they think was caused by either a large log or a rock that was pushed into that area,’ she added.
‘Pete immediately jumped into the water to help Jeannine. At one point he got out and he was able to get away from the current and extended his hand and she couldn’t reach it so he went back in to try to get her.’
In the midst of the frightening whirlpool, their brother was also able to break free but after he saw Pete unconscious he went right back in to help.
‘These are three amazing, amazing individuals that will be very missed by family, friends and the community at large,’ Valecia said.
Friends and family of the trio have shown an outpouring of grief and support in a Facebook group called ‘David, Jeannine, Pete Celebration of Life and Friendship.’
Jeannine, a registered dietitian nutritionist and health care coach has been remembered for her ‘big heart’ by her former roommate.
Many people also posted videos of Jeannine and David having fun on the dance floor together.
In honor of the three of them, their dance community will be hosting an event on Wednesday. Everyone has been asked to wear purple and will receive ribbons to pay tribute.
Valecia, David’s older sister, said she will always remember her late brother as someone who always ‘helped people achieve a goal and then feel joy from that,’ she told the outlet.
Her brother was the co-founder of the Harrington Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization in his home town of American Fork, Utah.
David was also the owner of Runtastic Events, a group behind many marathons in Utah.
‘He loved being outside, (and) he felt like he connected with God outside,’ Valecia said.
Other than his hobbies, David was known as an uncle, son, brother and ‘an incredible human being.’
His family has created a GoFundMe in memory of Bell. As of Sunday afternoon, the donation page raised more than $7,100.
Pete has been remembered as ‘an adventurer in every sense of the word,’ according to his memorial page.
Other than canyoneering, Pete also enjoyed surfing, soccer, volleyball, and golfing, among other outdoor activities.
‘But more than his adventures, it was his love for family and friends that defined him. Pete cherished his relationships, always putting those he cared about first,’ the page said.
His family commended him for jumping in after Jeannine and said that was exactly the kind of her person he was.
‘I cannot comprehend a world without you in it. My heart has never ached this much, and since your passing, you have consumed every minute of my waking hours,’ Pete’s little sister Kauti said.
‘None of us are surprised that your final moments here on Earth were you fighting to save someone’s life. It’s so you, such a “Pete” move. You couldn’t do otherwise,’ she added.
All three of their bodies were recovered on Saturday and will be brought back to Utah for their funeral services.
A marathon is set to be held on September 7 in Payson in honor of the victims.