Family and friends pay homage to three Utahns who lost their lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains
Aug 25, 2024, 3:53 PM | Updated: Aug 26, 2024, 4:15 pm
Utahns David Bell (left), Jeannine Skinner (middle) and Pete On (right) all lost their lives on a canyoneering trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains Friday, August 23. (David, Jeannine and Peter Celebration of Life and Friendship Facebook page)
(David, Jeannine and Peter Celebration of Life and Friendship Facebook page)
SPRINGVILLE, CA — Three Utahns drowned while canyoneering in the Sierra Nevada mountains on Friday.
A group of 13 Utahns, all experienced canyoneers, were rappelling in the Seven Teacups area near Springville, California. At about 5:13 p.m. one member of the group descended into a pool of water and was caught in a whirlpool. Two others jumped in to save her and all three drowned.
Others pulled the three from the water seven minutes later and administered CPR. Medical personnel pronounced all three dead after arriving on scene.
Friends and family identified the three victims as Jeannine Skinner, Peter On and David Bell.
Remembering Jeannine, David and Pete
Cyndi Bell Miller is the younger sister of David Bell. She announced his passing on Facebook alongside a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family with funeral costs.
The Harrington Center for the Arts also made an announcement for Bell’s passing. Bell had been a founding member at the Harrington Center for the Arts and served on its board.
“David has now crossed his final finish line,” the announcement said. “This week, live like David, love like David, and run for David.”
Pete’s mother Pamela On posted a memorial page for her son on Facebook. The memorial describes Pete as a person who lived by the phrase “carpe diem,” “always embracing life’s moments with passion and enthusiasm.”
A high school friend of Jeannine’s, Sarah Montgomery McConkie, posted on Facebook, saying that Jeannine was “gentle and kind and lovely, but along with it had this mischievous spunk that would jump out and make me laugh SO hard.”
Both David and Jeannine reportedly loved dancing, specifically swing dancing. Therefore, Classic Fun Center in Sandy is putting on a “Dancing Through Life” celebration in honor of the three on Wednesday, August 28. They are encouraging everyone to wear purple.
Friends and family of David, Jeannine and Pete are sharing memories and stories on a Facebook page, you can read those stories by clicking here.
