Three hikers from Utah drowned in a whirlpool while canyoneering along the Kern River in California on August 23, 2024. The victims, Jeannine Skinner, 34, David Bell, 48, and Peter On, 48, were exploring the Seven Teacups Trail, a popular but hazardous area near Johnsondale, California. It is well known for its series of waterfalls and pools.
While rappelling with a larger group of thirteen people, Skinner lowered herself into a pool of water and was pulled under. She didn’t resurface, seemingly trapped by a hidden whirlpool beneath the surface. Peter On quickly dove in to assist her, followed by David Bell.
On managed to escape the current briefly, but Skinner couldn’t reach his hand, prompting him to return to the whirlpool. Bell also freed himself momentarily but re-entered the dangerous waters, seeing Skinner still struggling. Despite being pulled out by their friends within minutes, all three had lost consciousness and could not be revived.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene around 5:20 p.m., but it was too late by the time they reached the hikers. According to reports, the bodies were pulled from the water within 10 minutes of the incident, but all resuscitation efforts, including CPR, were unsuccessful.
The Kern River, located approximately 70 miles northeast of Bakersfield, is notorious for its dangerous currents. Investigators suspect the whirlpool was likely caused by a large rock or log beneath the surface, creating a circular current that trapped the hikers.
One of the victims, David Bell, was well-known in Utah’s running community. He co-founded the Harrington Center for the Arts and organized numerous local running events. Bell was remembered by his family and those close to him as a dedicated leader who deeply valued his community and consistently strived to ensure that people had memorable and extraordinary experiences.
A high school friend of Jeannine Skinner, Sarah Montgomery McConkie, shared on Facebook that Jeannine had a gentle, kind, and lovely demeanor, complemented by a playful, mischievous side that never failed to bring laughter.
Peter On’s mother, Pamela, shared a memorial page for her son on Facebook, highlighting that Pete lived by the motto “seize the day” and fully embraced life’s moments with fervor and joy.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with funeral costs and other expenses for the victims’ families. A memorial marathon is being organized in Utah to honor the lives of the three hikers.
The Seven Teacups trail presents significant challenges for even the most experienced adventurers. It traces the path of Dry Meadow Creek as it plunges down a slick rock canyon, carving out a series of natural pools known as teacups before ultimately feeding into the Kern River. This trail is classified as a Class 3C canyon, which contains water with potentially strong currents, adding a serious element of risk to navigating the area.