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CASTLE DALE, Emery County — Authorities have identified two sisters who died in a flash flood in Little Wildhorse Canyon in Emery County earlier this week.
McKinzley Graff, 7, and Elexia Graff, 3, of West Jordan, died Monday afternoon when a flash flood swept through the narrow slot canyon, according to a news release from the Emery County Sheriff’s Office.
Friends and neighbors remembered the girls as sweet and happy.
“They are the sweetest kids. They just win your heart over,” Jennifer Vanleuven, a friend and neighbor of the family, told KSL TV Tuesday. “My heart melts every time I see them. It’s so hard to see them gone.”
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert also offered his condolences to the Graff family.
“Utah mourns with the family and prays that they may be comforted in this heartbreaking time," he said Tuesday in a tweet.
At least 21 people safely made it out of the canyon after a thunderstorm went through the area about 1:30 p.m. Monday, leading to the flooding.
A GoFundMe* has been set up to assist the Graff family.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
