Woman drowns in Washington river after paddleboard lanyard snags in water, cops say
A woman in her 50s drowned after her paddleboard lanyard snagged in the river and sent her into the water, authorities in Washington said.
The woman was paddleboarding through a popular part of the Snoqualmie River with family at about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, near Fall City, the King County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The lanyard that attaches to her body and the paddleboard snagged in the water, forcing her into the river, deputies said.
Multiple people tried to save her, but she couldn’t be revived, deputies said.
“At this time investigators are unsure if anyone in the group had lifejackets and nothing suggests that the victim was wearing one at the time of this tragedy,” authorities said in the release.
Fall City is about 25 miles east of Seattle.
Drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Woman drowns in Washington river after paddleboard lanyard snags in water, cops say."
