RedactedNarrative: Vessel – 6’ Plastic Kayak - Year/Make/Model Unknown
  
  On 02/02/2019, at about 01:40 p.m., this vessel was rowing/paddling/drifting on the Skykomish River near the 45600 Block of SR 2, located near Gold Bar, WA in Snohomish county.
  
  According to Law Enforcement, on this date and time, they were dispatched to the above location with a report of a drowning on the Skykomish River.  The reporting party said he brought the victim to shore, performed CPR for approximately one-half hour and then walked for approximately one-half hour before flagging someone down to call 911.
  
  The witness, Witness, told officers that he and Victim began their float at about 11:30 a.m. on the north fork of the Skykomish River which later ran into the main stem of the river.  On the main stem they reached a water feature known as Boulder Drop.  Another feature either part of or close to Boulder Drop is Ned’s Needle.  
  
  Witness was following Victim down river when Victim entered into Ned’s Needle. Victim was overturned and pulled from his kayak.  He was trapped in a powerful recirculating pool that continued sucking him under and forcing him up.  Witness rowed to shore and attempted to deploy a throw bag numerous times but Victim was unable to grab it.  Witness said Victim was spit out of the pool and his lifeless body began floating down stream.  
  
  Witness got back in his kayak and started rowing as fast as he could to get ahold of Victim.  Once he got to Victim, he broke free from his kayak and swam Victim to a rock in the middle of the river and immediately began performing CPR.  He was unable to get Victim’s upper body out of the water but both of their bodies remained submerged.   
  
  After several minutes of CPR and no change in Victim’s condition, Witness made the decision to try and get him on a more stable surface.  Witness swam to the shore pulling Victim with him. Witness said once on shore he continued CPR for several minutes.  With Witness becoming fatigued, cold and Victim’s condition not changing, he made the tough decision to start walking for help.  He followed the train tracks to the west where he ended up on SR2.  
  
  Law Enforcement arrived at 47.8209 LAT/ -121.6093 LONG.  Just off of the train tracks and down a very steep drop off, Victim’s body was located lying on his back on a large flat rock.  The rock was on an angle slightly into the water which left his legs dangling in the water.  He was clothed in a black/blue dry suit with a black life jacket and black helmet. 
  
  The second witness was also on the river kayaking at the time, but downstream of Victim and Witness.  Subject told Law Enforcement that while floating downstream he observed a kayak and paddle floating down the river.  He collected the items and pulled them to shore.  It turned out that the gear belonged to Witness and was later returned to him.  
  
  Victim’s kayak, identified as orange in color, was never located.   
    
  0 Injuries / 1 Deceased
  No Apparent Alcohol or Drug Involvement
  The Vessel was a Total Loss with an Estimated Value of $5,000
  The Victim was Wearing a PFD
  The Victim did not have a Mandatory Boater Education Card
  