An 18-year-old high school senior, Kirsten Beagley, died in a tubing accident in Huntington Canyon, Utah, on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
Beagley and a friend were tubing down a sledding hill at the Cleveland Reservoir in Huntington Canyon when the tube hit a bump, throwing her off the tube and onto an asphalt surface on the shoulder of State Route 31.
The Emery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that she was pronounced dead at the scene from what is believed to be a head or neck injury.
The tube was carrying Beagley and another girl who reportedly rolled off the tube before the tragic outcome.
Emery County Sheriff Tyson Huntington stated that the girls were not at fault, describing the incident as a freak accident that occurred because the tube went too fast and crossed over the snowbank onto the asphalt.
Beagley was a Castle Dale, Utah resident, attending Emery High School. The outing during which the accident happened was a multi-couple date, part of a celebration for the school’s winter formal.
In a touching tribute, her classmates and friends at Emery High School honored her memory by wearing pink, dubbed “Kirsten’s Kolor,” on Monday, January 22.
Her sister, Jannika Beagley, described Kirsten as “the happiest person ever” who loved dance and was always ready for an adventure.
Echoing this sentiment, her parents expressed their profound grief. Her father, Kyle Beagley, termed the loss as “heart-wrenching,” underlining the unpreparedness one faces in such a situation.
In the wake of the incident, a GoFundMe page was set up by a family member, Paige Davis, which has raised over $19,000 to support the Beagley family.
In addition to her involvement in school activities, Kirsten was known for her role as captain of the school’s drill team.