It was a Monday night in June. The air in Provo Canyon was finally starting to cool off after a warm day, and the Sorensen family was doing exactly what thousands of Utah families do every summer: having a birthday party. No wind. No warning. Just a perfect evening at South Fork Park.
Then, a sound like a gunshot echoed through the trees.
What followed is a story that still haunts locals and stands as one of the most freakish, heartbreaking accidents in the history of Utah's outdoor recreation. If you've lived in Orem or Provo for a while, you might have heard snippets of the story about Molly Sorensen, or perhaps you've seen the memorial details that occasionally resurface. Honestly, the facts are more jarring than the rumors.
The Night Everything Changed in Provo Canyon
On June 5, 2000, around 9:00 p.m., about 25 members of the Sorensen family and their friends were gathered around picnic tables. They were celebrating a birthday. There was laughter, food, and the kind of relaxed chaos that comes with a large family gathering.
Suddenly, a massive, 83-year-old oak tree—standing two feet wide—snapped at the base. It didn't lean or creak for minutes. It just gave way.
Mollie Rose Hobough Sorensen, 56, and her 6-year-old granddaughter, Mollie Rose Sorensen, were sitting right in its path. They died instantly.
It’s hard to wrap your head around that kind of timing. One second you're celebrating a life, and the next, two generations of the same name are gone. The sheer weight of the tree was so immense that it took nearly 40 people—mostly bystanders and fellow ward members who were nearby—to lift the trunk high enough to rescue those pinned underneath.
The Rescue Effort at South Fork Park
Kory Boyd, who was 22 at the time and a student at BYU, later described the scene as chaotic and terrifying. He told reporters that he heard a "giant crack" that echoed throughout the little canyon. People didn't just stand around. They ran toward the screams.
A 4-year-old girl named Emma Sorensen was pinned against a barbecue grill by the fallen log. She looked lifeless. For several minutes, the group of men strained against the wood, but it wouldn't budge. It wasn't until dozens of people literally put "every inch of a hand" on that tree that they could lift it just enough to pull Emma out.
Emma survived, though she was Life Flighted to Salt Lake City with a crushed pelvis and severe internal injuries. It was a miracle she made it, but the cost of that night was already too high.
Why the Tree Fell: A Freak Accident or a Warning?
Whenever something this tragic happens, we want someone to blame. We want to know why. Was the tree dead? Was the soil too wet?
Investigators eventually pointed to a loose root system. The oak tree was old—over eight decades—but it hadn't shown obvious signs of being a "widow-maker" to the casual observer. There wasn't any wind that night. In fact, witnesses said the air was almost completely still.
- The Tree: A 2-foot-wide native oak.
- The Cause: Structural failure at the root level, likely exacerbated by the age of the tree and soil conditions.
- The Environment: South Fork Park is a heavily used area, making the randomness of the fall even more unsettling.
The reality of Molly Sorensen and Provo Canyon is a sobering reminder of the inherent risks of the natural world. Even in a manicured park with paved paths and "safe" campsites, nature is indifferent.
The Legacy of the "Let Our Light Shine" Family
The Sorensens weren't just a name in a police report. Norman Sorensen, who lost his wife and granddaughter that night, was a man deeply rooted in his community. He and Mollie Rose had been married since 1959. They met at a street dance. You can’t make that kind of Americana up.
Their family motto was “Let Our Light Shine.” Even in the aftermath of the tragedy, the family’s resilience became a point of discussion in local church groups and community circles. Rosana and Don Sorensen, who were also injured in the accident, eventually shared their story of healing in various forums. They talked about the "fallen oak" not just as a physical object, but as a metaphor for the trials that life unexpectedly drops in your path.
Understanding Tree Hazards in Utah Canyons
If you spend any time in Provo Canyon, whether it's at Bridal Veil Falls or the various parks up the South Fork, you've probably looked at the trees differently after hearing this story. You should.
Arborists often point out that "summer branch drop" or root failure can happen in seemingly healthy trees. While you shouldn't live in fear of every oak you sit under, there are things you can look for when picking a picnic spot:
- Look Up: Check for "hanging" dead branches (widow-makers) that are caught in other limbs.
- Look Down: Excessive mushrooms at the base of a tree can sometimes indicate root rot.
- Check the Lean: A tree that has recently shifted its angle, shown by cracked soil at the base, is a major red flag.
- Listen: While the Sorensen tree didn't give much warning, many trees will "groan" or "crack" before a major failure.
The Lasting Impact on Provo Canyon Safety
After the 2000 accident, there was a significant push for better tree management in public parks throughout Utah County. Maintenance crews became more aggressive about removing aging or leaning trees in high-traffic areas.
However, you can’t "safety-proof" a forest.
The story of Molly Sorensen remains a deeply personal one for the Orem and Napa, California communities (where the elder Mollie was from). It’s a story about the fragility of life. It’s about 40 strangers coming together to lift a literal weight off a child’s chest.
If you visit South Fork Park today, it’s beautiful. It’s peaceful. But for those who remember June 5, 2000, there is always a lingering shadow of that 83-year-old oak.
Actionable Insights for Canyon Safety:
- Check Park Advisories: Before heading into Provo Canyon, check for weather alerts, especially high-wind warnings which can weaken root systems.
- Pick Modern Sites: Whenever possible, choose picnic sites that are recently maintained or located further from the base of older, heavy-leaning trees.
- Know Your Location: In the event of an emergency in the canyon, cell service is spotty. Know exactly which park and site number you are at so you can relay that information if you have to use a park phone or find a signal.
- Respect the "Closed" Signs: If a trail or picnic area is closed for "tree maintenance," take it seriously. It's often because an arborist has identified a high-risk hazard similar to the one that failed in 2000.
The tragedy of the Sorensen family wasn't due to negligence or recklessness. It was a "freak accident" in the truest sense of the word. By keeping their story alive, we remind ourselves to appreciate the moments we have and to stay vigilant in the great outdoors.