LOGAN, Utah — Logan Regional Hospital staff has been in constant communication with the Capener family ever since Kathryn Capener arrived at the hospital after a boating accident on Bear Lake, late Monday night.
Staff said when it comes to her recovery it’s not just about Kathryn’s physical condition, but also her condition mentally and emotionally.
Kathryn lost her husband and two children after their boat capsized on the lake because of stormy weather. Family friend, 14-year-old Siera Hadley, was also killed in the accident.
The hospital has had social workers spending time with Kathryn, to help her to deal with what transpired.
The hospital staff released a statement written by the Capener and Stockdale families.
“What we know is that as a family we are heartbroken over the loss of our beloved Lance Capener, a local physician, our bubbly and loving Kelsey and our sweet angelic Kilee, we are also heartbroken about the loss of one of our family’s dear friends and our love goes out to that family,” Sterling Morris, with Logan Regional Hospital, said on behalf of the Capener family.
It is unknown at this time when Kathryn will be released.
Family and friends are at the hospital supporting Kathryn. The family has asked the media to give them the time and space they need to grieve.
Kathryn released a statement Wednesday, offering a firsthand account of the events that transpired. See below for the complete statement:
“On Monday, my husband, Lance, and I were boating with our 7-year old daughter, Kilee, our 13-year-old daughter, Kelsey, and group of Kelsey’s friends. Everyone was having fun, and the water had been good. Some of us went out on the boat for one last run. The wind storm and the waves picked up very suddenly, and despite our best efforts to steer through the waves and get back to shore, the boat capsized.
We immediately checked on all of the girls and got everyone gathered together in the water. The girls sang together and prayed to bring comfort and help. As time went on with the waves continuing to crash over everyone, we became separated from some of the girls.
Several hours passed while Lance and I battled the waves together with our youngest child, Kilee. We were waiting for the rescuers that we knew our friends on the shore would have sent, and calling out for the other girls. The rescue workers gave valiant efforts, and even though it was hours before they found us, they did not give up.
I am thankful to everyone who helped look for us. I am thankful to all of the people who worked so hard to try to save my husband and daughters. I know that everyone involved did everything possible to help us.
I would like to thank the caregivers at Logan Regional Hospital. They have shown me tremendous care and compassion. I continue to recover under their care and anticipate being released soon.
I want to send my love to Siera Hadley’s family. She has been a wonderful friend to my daughter, and she is very special to our whole family.
I am so touched by all of the support and help coming from my friends, ward members and the entire community. I have heard about so many of the expressions of concern and love being sent to my family.
I thank those who have respected my family’s privacy at this difficult time. I understand that many people are concerned about us and would like information; therefore, a family spokesperson, my sister Liesa Stockdale, will be available to handle these requests, while allowing me and my son the privacy we need to heal. Please direct all questions to her.”
– Kathryn Capener
Read the full release below:
(Logan, UT) June 2, 2015. On the evening of June 1, during a boating outing on Bear Lake, wind storms and waves caused our boat to capsize. During the search and rescue efforts, while everyone was doing their best to convey what information they heard, the search and rescue crew was focused on the task that really mattered at that time: finding the lost individuals. However, that means that we cannot offer any details for certain about what occurred at Bear Lake during the storm or what occurred during the search and rescue. We respectfully request that you direct any questions about the events to the Rich County Sheriff’s Department.
What we know now is that, as family, we are heartbroken over the loss of our beloved Lance Capener, a local physician, our bubbly and loving Kelsey (13), and our sweet, angelic Kilee (7). We are also heartbroken about the loss of one of the family’s dear friends and our love goes out to that family.
We are grateful to the rescuers, the first-responders, the transport teams, and the medical staffs that have been involved with helping all efforts during this ordeal. These men and women have shown tremendous skill and compassion. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that has been shown by ward members, friends, neighbors and coworkers.
At this time, we request that the media respect our privacy and allow us the time and space needed to grieve and comfort each other through this ordeal. Thank you.
