Southern California

3 Utah Hikers Drown in Sierra Nevada Whirlpool as Rescue Attempt Goes Awry

The friends were canyoneering as part of a group when, one by one, they became trapped in a mountain pool.
3 Utah Hikers Drown in Sierra Nevada Whirlpool as Rescue Attempt Goes Awry
Jeannine Skinner (L) and David Bell died Aug. 23, 2024, along with a friend in a Sierra Nevada whirlpool in Central California. Courtesy of Scott Jarvis
Jill McLaughlin
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The Tulare County coroner has confirmed the deaths of three friends and adventurers from Utah who drowned in a whirlpool undercurrent in the Sierra Nevada mountain range just before 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23.

David Bell, 42, of American Fork, Utah; Pete On, 46, of Utah; and Jeannine Skinner, 34, of Salt Lake City died Friday, spokeswoman Teresa Douglass of the coroner’s office told The Epoch Times.

Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
Author
Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.