3 Tourists Drown After Being Caught in Whirlpool

Three friends from Utah drowned after being caught in a powerful whirlpool at a popular hiking trail known as Seven Teacups in California. Jeannine Skinner was caught in the vortex of spinning water. Her companions, David Bell and Peter On, drowned trying to rescue her. In nature, whirlpools can be incredibly powerful and suck people into the abyss. Inside Edition's Jim Moret spoke to Bell's grieving family.

[deedeewinfrey]

I got caught in a whirlpool once. You can't fight it. It was kind of peaceful swirling around and around. I knew it was over for me...then it spit me out. I still remember every detail of that experience. So sorry for your loss.

[jackeroo]

If you’ve already been sucked into a whirlpool, try these steps:

1. **Stay calm and conserve energy**: Panic will cause exhaustion and make the situation worse.

2. **Go with the flow**: Allow yourself to be carried by the downward current rather than fighting it. Most whirlpools will eventually release you deeper in the water.

3. **Position your body**: As you near the bottom of the whirlpool or the core, ball up your body to protect yourself and prevent injury. Once you feel the downward force weaken, quickly shift into a swimming position.

4. **Swim horizontally**: Once the suction weakens, swim horizontally away from the center of the whirlpool to escape its grip.

5. **Surface quickly but carefully**: After you've swum far enough away, try to rise to the surface, staying aware of any debris or strong currents above.

Keeping calm and using your strength strategically is key to survival.

[LucyFitzmaurice]

I pray for these three friends and their family. This is beyond devastating. My dad got caught in a whirlpool when he was younger, he said he escaped bc he stayed calm (you lose your breath so fast if you start panicking) and swam to the bottom of the whirlpool and exited. The bottom of the whirlpool may be weaker. Stay safe everyone

[ughgowonsscalpandcrunchyvo]

the addition of whirlpool as a background for their pictures is wild af 😭😭😭

[Naijacatt]

Idc. I will never be this adventurous.

[faribrathwaite]

I used to live in Colorado. And me and my friend went white water rafting at Royal Gorge Bridge. We got sucked in a whirlpool and guess what?… we survived cause we had life jackets and we went immediately back to the surface. Please don’t go into waters if you see whirlpools and always have a life jacket. It can save you

[Tsukonin]

This is why it's best to stay in your room (or basement).

[RefreshingShamrock]

What does the Arizona story have to do with the whirlpool one? By the way, you forgot to mention that 1 tourist died in the Grand Canyon floods.

[Brandon-chot]

My Dad always went in first to test these swimming holes. Almost saw him drown one day as a kid. You gotta be careful

[govideo]

Once again, nature doesn't care about your selfies or adventures.

[icopywrite]

If you try rescuing someone without a floating device, they will cling on to you and drown you

[kingramses]

no matter how strong a person can be, never underestimate whirlpools, you can never be strong to fight against a whirlpool, thats a death sentence

[kellyoyen]

Rest in peace. I'm sorry for your loss

[Pontiac-sp]

Life jackets always even as a good swimmer

[HurricanePatrick]

I know it doesn't sound good, but never try to rescue someone, instead it's, tough luck kid

[mts]

Man fuq that. They've said countless times never try to rescue someone caught in a rip tide or whirlpool. If they were as seasoned in this as they say, they should've known not to. I know they probably thought no WAY the whirlpool could take all 3 of them out, but it did indeed.

[spikesecho]

When all three people die, how on earth do they know what happened???

[shaf]

No one is stronger than the force of water.

[cryscars]

Don't understand what Arizona floods have to do with the whirlpool story here. {????} 🤔Two different stories they put together for some reason. Condolences to the families of the people whom died in the whirlpool.

[nelrose]

im telling you ppl stay away from water