Tag Archives: coast guard

Breaking News, Local

King County Sheriff reports body found in Lake Washington drowning

[KIRKLAND] – (MTN) The King County Sheriff’s Office has reported that in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard, the body of a 32-year old man who disappeared after falling off an innertube near O.O. Denny Park in Kirkland was found this afternoon. The Sheriff Department tweeted the body has been found about a 1/4 mile offshore, and at a depth of 145 feet.

On Sunday, reports came in around 6:00 PM for three people who fell off an inner tube being towed behind a boat in Lake Washington. Two people were rescued, but a third still unidentified person could not be located.

Officials started a search that was suspended on Sunday night and restarted Monday at dawn. Officials declared on Sunday night that the search was becoming a recovery, but still held out some hope that the victim might be found alive. News helicopters circled over Juanita Bay in Kirkland yesterday as the grim search continued.

There were 5 drownings in area lakes in the last week and multiple rescue operations. Although temperatures may soar to 100 degrees this weekend and an Excessive Heat Watch was issued by the National Weather Service, area lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound remain dangerously cold.

Breaking News, Local

Coast Guard and King County searches for missing person on Lake Washington

The US Coast Guard and King County Sheriff have been searching Lake Washington after a crewless boat slammed into a pier in Juanita Bay on Tuesday. Under its power, the craft struck a dock at the base of Finn Hill between Juanita and Kenmore. An inspection of the boat revealed a wallet and cellphone, causing officials to believe the operator has fallen overboard.

Officials initiated a search and rescue operation involving aircraft from King County, US Coast Guard, US Air Force, and watercraft from King County. The aerial search extended across almost the entire length of Lake Washington and was called off after nightfall on Tuesday. Shortly after sunrise on Wednesday morning, a Coast Guard helicopter flew a search pattern over Juanita Bay.

Officials have not identified the boat’s owner or the ID of the wallet and phone found onboard. There has been no indication of foul play, and officials are treating this as an accident. Search and rescue officials have not made any statement if they are still looking for survivors. Lake Washington is below 50 degrees this time of year, making survival for 24 hours in the water near impossible, even with a life presever.