Utah canyoneers drown in central California "whirlpool"

Three Utah climbers drowned this weekend while trying to rescue each other from a churning current in a central California canyon.

Jeannine Skinner, Peter On and David Bell, all from the Wasatch Front, were climbing Friday with a group of 13 canyoneers at a site called the Seven Teacups — a series of pools carved into stone by waterfalls on Dry Meadow Creek in the Sequoia National Forest.

• Skinner was rappelling into the water when she was caught in a churning current in the river, Bell's sister Cyndi Miller wrote in a Facebook post, confirming reports from the Tulare County, California sheriff's office.

Zoom in: On and Bell jumped into the water to help her, Bell's family told KSL-TV . Both were caught in the circular current, which repeatedly pushed the canyoneers to the surface before pulling them under again.

• On and Bell both managed to escape the current, but On returned to try to reach Skinner. Bell also returned as On lost consciousness, Bell's family said.
• All three were unconscious when their companions recovered them and performed CPR for 20 minutes, Miller wrote.

Between the lines: The circular current may have been "caused by either a large log or a rock that was pushed into that area," Summerisa Bell Stevens, another sister of Bell, told KSL-TV.

• That type of hydraulic current is a common hazard on rivers with underwater, "low head" dams but also can occur near natural obstacles.

The big picture: Skinner, On and Bell were active in Utah's outdoor sports communities.

• Friends are invited to leave memories and photos in a shared Facebook group .

What's next: The three climbers were avid dancers, and friends are hosting a memorial dance at 10pm Wednesday at Classic Fun Center in Sandy.

• The Mount Nebo marathon, which Bell organized , will be run in his honor Sept. 7 .