Robert, 41, of Alpental, was the second drowning victim recovered from Lake Keechelus, on the afternoon of September 14, by Kittitas County Sheriff's divers, according to a news release. He was the victim of a canoe accident the night of September 12 that also claimed the life of 48-year-old Ryan Graham, also of Alpental. The men were close friends and neighbors, the sheriff's office said. On September 12, the men went to Lake Keechelus along Interstate 90 just east of Snoqualmie Pass to test out a new canoe, the release said. People in a low flying private plane contacted the sheriff's office when they noticed an overturned canoe and a person floating in the water clinging to a paddle. Rescue crews began searching that night. The search resumed the next morning, and divers found Ryan's body in about 15 feet of water near the overturned canoe. The next day, divers found Robert's body about 200 yards away. Kittitas County Undersheriff Clay Myers said the men appeared to be experienced outdoorsmen. There was no damage to the canoe and the weather was not bad on Sunday. "This is a common and avoidable accident in the waters of Washington state," Myers said in the release. "Either of these men could have survived this accident with the use of a $22 life jacket. It is nearly impossible to swim or survive in 54-degree water wearing work boots and hiking clothes." Washington law requires the use of life jackets in all vessels on inland waterways, the release said.
[Information via dailyrecordnews.com]
[Information via dailyrecordnews.com]
Robert, 41, of Alpental, was the second drowning victim recovered from Lake Keechelus, on the afternoon of September 14, by Kittitas County Sheriff's divers, according to a news release. He was the victim of a canoe accident the night of September 12 that also claimed the life of 48-year-old Ryan Graham, also of Alpental. The men were close friends and neighbors, the sheriff's office said. On September 12, the men went to Lake Keechelus along Interstate 90 just east of Snoqualmie Pass to test out a new canoe, the release said. People in a low flying private plane contacted the sheriff's office when they noticed an overturned canoe and a person floating in the water clinging to a paddle. Rescue crews began searching that night. The search resumed the next morning, and divers found Ryan's body in about 15 feet of water near the overturned canoe. The next day, divers found Robert's body about 200 yards away. Kittitas County Undersheriff Clay Myers said the men appeared to be experienced outdoorsmen. There was no damage to the canoe and the weather was not bad on Sunday. "This is a common and avoidable accident in the waters of Washington state," Myers said in the release. "Either of these men could have survived this accident with the use of a $22 life jacket. It is nearly impossible to swim or survive in 54-degree water wearing work boots and hiking clothes." Washington law requires the use of life jackets in all vessels on inland waterways, the release said.
[Information via dailyrecordnews.com]
[Information via dailyrecordnews.com]
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