Bodies are found in hunt for two missing Utah friends, 17 and 18, who disappeared in a storm while tubing on a lake more than a week ago

  • Priscilla Bienkowski, 18, and Sophia Hernandez, 17, were tubing on Utah Lake
  • It is believed they suddenly got caught up in intense storm and got into trouble
  • One of the bodies was found near a jetty by a fisherman yesterday afternoon 
  • The second body was discovered three hours later by a sheriff's office pilot 
Bodies have been found in the hunt for two missing teenage girls who disappeared while out tubing on a lake in Utah. 
Priscilla Bienkowski, 18, from Utah Lake, and Sophia Hernandez, 17, from Eagle Mountain, were on Utah Lake when it is believed they suddenly got caught up in an intense storm.
One body was found near a jetty by a fisherman yesterday afternoon and the second was discovered three hours later by a sheriff's office pilot, Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith said.
Priscilla Bienkowski, 18, was out on Utah Lake near Salt Lake City with a friend when it is believed they were caught in an intense storm
Priscilla Bienkowski, 18, was out on Utah Lake near Salt Lake City with a friend when it is believed they were caught in an intense storm
Priscilla Bienkowski
Sophia Hernandez
Priscilla Bienkowski, left, had only been friends with Sophia Hernandez, right, for a few months
The bodies are believed to be those of the girls and Sheriff Smith expressed his 'sincere condolences to the families of these two beautiful girls', NBC News reports.
The friends had bought two inflatable pool toys to use on the lake more than a week ago. 
The toys were later found three miles apart.
This map released by Utah County Sheriff's Office shows the vast area of the lake being searched by officials
This map released by Utah County Sheriff's Office shows the vast area of the lake being searched by officials
Search and rescue teams were pictured getting ready to head out onto the lake on Saturday
Search and rescue teams were pictured getting ready to head out onto the lake on Saturday
The Utah County Sheriff's Office launched a search for the pair which involved more than 10 vessels, multiple aircraft and lasted for 1,000 hours. Pictured: Part of the search
The Utah County Sheriff's Office launched a search for the pair which involved more than 10 vessels, multiple aircraft and lasted for 1,000 hours. Pictured: Part of the search 
A fisherman found one of the girls' cellphones and personal belongings on the beach along with the car in which the pair travelled.  
Storms on Lake Utah are notorious for appearing suddenly and without much warning.
Just a mild wind on shore can cause deadly conditions on the 24 mile-long lake.
Utah State Parks Boating Coordinator Ty Hunter said the lake 'can turn from just flat glass to just extreme conditions ... in just a moment's notice'. 
The Utah County Sheriff's Office launched a search for the pair which involved more than 10 vessels, multiple aircraft and lasted for 1,000 hours. 
Sophia Hernandez, 17, (pictured) was out on the lake using a couple of inflatable toys
Sophia Hernandez, 17, (pictured) was out on the lake using a couple of inflatable toys

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