Vessel – Shaboomee 10’ Paddleboard

On 07/27/2023, at about 06:00 p.m., this vessel was operated on the Skagit River at State Route 20 milepost 110 nearest the city of Marblemount, WA in Skagit County.

According to Law Enforcement, the vessel operator and subject1 were white water paddling together on separate paddleboards down Skagit River. Subject1 was an experienced river paddle boarder but Victim was just learning. They were paddling from Copper Boat Launch down to Marblemount when Victim fell of his board near a log jam. 

Subject1 said she was yelling at him to remove his lanyard that was attached to his torso area. Subject1 said Victim did not remove the lanyard and that he was struggling, but Subject1 was too far away to get to him. 

Subject1 was able to get to shore past the logjam and quickly went upriver on the riverbank and saw that he was underwater under a logjam. Subject1 went into the water to get him out from under the logjam and swam him back to the riverbank. Subject1 said Victim was unresponsive and had been under the water for about 4 minutes. Subject1 went through the forest brush to the roadway to flag someone down to call 911. CPR was started by Law Enforcement until Med  arrived. CPR was conducted for 10 to 15 minutes before they stopped and called his death.
 
0 Injury / 1 Fatalities
Alcohol Involvement: No apparent Drug/Alcohol involvement
PFD: Operator/Fatality was wearing a PFD
Vessel Operator Mandatory Boater Education Card: No
Skagit River
Marblemount                   