3 friends drown after getting caught in whirlpool on trip to the mountains

SPRINGVILLE, Calif. (KSL) – Loved ones are mourning three friends from Utah who drowned after getting caught in a whirlpool while canyoneering in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

David Bell was canyoneering Friday with a group of 13 friends, including Jeannine Skinner and Peter On, near the Seven Teacups area in Tulare County, California. That’s when Skinner jumped into a small pool, according to Bell’s sisters, Summerisa Bell Stevens and Valecia Green.

“A little 8-foot pool. From the top of the surface, you wouldn’t have been able to tell anything was wrong,” Bell Stevens said.

David Bell, Jeannine Skinner and Peter On (left to right) were canyoneering wtih a group of... — David Bell, Jeannine Skinner and Peter On (left to right) were canyoneering with a group of friends when they got caught in a whirlpool and drowned.(Source: David, Jeannine, Peter Celebration of Life and Friendship/Facebook, KSL via CNN)

Despite the pool’s appearance, the group quickly realized something was wrong. Skinner appeared to be caught in an undercurrent and couldn’t get out of the water. Rushing to help, We jumped in, followed by Bell.

“It sounds like it was circular. They would kind of come under and come back up,” Green said.

“Dave was able to get himself out of the cycle at the same time that Pete went unconscious. But he saw that Jeannine was still in that pattern, so he went back and tried to get her out, as well,” Bell Stevens said.

All three lost consciousness. Their friends were able to pull them out within seven minutes, but it was too late; they had drowned.

As loved ones process the tragedy, they’re clinging onto their faith and doing all they can to keep the trio’s memories alive.

“These are three amazing, amazing individuals who will be very, very missed by family, friends and the community at large,” Green said.

Bell’s sisters describe their brother as a friend to everyone. He was the co-founder of the Harrington Center for the Arts, a nonprofit in America Fork, Utah, and owner of Runtastic Events, the creative force behind several marathons across the state.

“He loved making moments really special for people,” Bell Stevens said. “I think that’s where he thrived. There wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for anyone.”

“He loved being outside. He felt like he connected with God outside and with friends and people,” Green said.

A marathon will be held next month in honor of Bell, Skinner and On. Other events are planned to celebrate their lives.

GoFundMe pages have been set up to help Bell’s family and Skinner’s family with funeral costs and other expenses related to their unexpected deaths.