3 Drown In Whirlpool While Rappelling In Sierra Nevada

SPRINGVILLE, CA — Three people rappelling in the Sierra Nevada died over the weekend after one got caught in a whirlpool and the other two tried to save her, according to family of the victims.

Jeannine Skinner, Peter On and David Bell were rappelling Friday in the Seven Teacups area in Springville when Skinner rappelled into a small pool of water and got caught, Bell’s sister, Cyndi Bell Miller, said in a Facebook post. On jumped in to save her and was caught as well, and Bell followed, according to Bell Miller, who said all three drowned.

The trio are from Utah, according to media reports.

GoFundMe pages were created to support the loved ones of Skinner, who was described as warm and adventurous, and Bell, a founding member of the Harrington Center for the Arts and the CEO of Runtastic Events. On was free-spirited and loved the outdoors, according to his obituary.