EMERY COUNTY, Utah — A girl remembered for her vibrant and joyful soul was killed over the weekend while tubing with friends in Huntington Canyon.
Kirsten Beagley, 18, died as a result of the accident, leaving her family "devastated," a GoFundMe fundraiser reads.
"Kirsten was a friend to everyone," the family told FOX 13 News. "She was always smiling and she had the best sense of humor! Kirsten would light up any room she walked into. She was kind, compassionate, and the best listener. She was also always ready to go on an adventure.
The tubing accident happened just after noon on Saturday in a popular location just West of Cleveland Reservoir in Huntington Canyon, officials with the Emery County Sheriff's Office reported.
Officials said Beagley was on a tube with a friend and was going too fast to stop at the bottom of the hill.
While the friend rolled off the tube onto a snowy hillside, Beagley stayed on the tube "as it launched over the snowy berm on the shoulder of State Route 31 and came to a rest on the road," officials said.
Beagley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family said Beagley was with her friends on a day activity ahead of a school dance.
"She was on the drill team all four years of high school and this year she was drill team captain. She was just very passionate about dance," the family shared. "She also was an amazing leader to her teammates and really loved her team."
Students within the Emery County School District dressed in pink on Monday to remember Beagley. Photos show students at Emery High School, where Beagley attended, with their hands in the shape of hearts to honor their classmate's life.
The Emery School District said high school administrators and counselors met Monday with Beagley's teammates on the school's drill team and student council, along with students who were with Kirsten at the time of the accident.
"Emery County is, of course, a small close knit community and a tragedy like this affects everyone," the district wrote in a statement. "It's been heartwarming and a testament to the goodness of the people, especially the youth throughout the state of Utah. As Emery High has felt the outpouring of love and care expressed by the many schools throughout the state."
The loss of Beagley has been felt throughout the tight-knit community of Castle Dale, with community members and loved ones pitching in over $11,000 to help the family with funeral expenses.
"The loss is so sad for all involved and now all her friends and family will be attending her funeral on the same day of the very dance the activity was for," a GoFundMe fundraiser reads. "It’s heartbreaking."
"Kirsten was a vibrant and cherished young soul who brought joy to everyone around her," family said. "Her sudden departure has left all of us heartbroken."
