Whirlpool Snares Canoe, Man Drowns In Rain-Swollen River

FALL CITY - The 19-year-old Fall City man who apparently drowned in the Snoqualmie River yesterday has been identified as Ryan Steven Fausett, who moved here recently from Orem, Utah.

Don Schmitz, King County police divemaster, said Fausett and his uncle, Robert Carter of Fall City, were dumped into the river about a mile up-river from Fall City when a whirlpool sucked their canoe out from under them. Neither man wore a life jacket.

Fausett's body has not yet been found.

Carter, who swam to shore after the accident, said he and Fausett had built the canoe as part of a Boy Scout project years ago. Both men worked at the Big O Tire Store in Issaquah.

Due to the swiftness of the rain-swollen river, police divers were unable to go into the 40-degree water, Schmitz said. The shoreline was searched by foot patrols and the county police helicopter yesterday before the hunt was called off yesterday evening.

Schmitz said the canoe was launched near the mouth of Tokul Creek and soon was caught in an eddy behind rocks. Several fishermen saw the accident but were unable to help because of the swift current.

Carter said that he called to his nephew to swim for shore, but the young man said that he couldn't. Carter told his nephew to take off his shoes, but again received a negative response.

Police say Fausett probably had trouble staying afloat and was hampered by the current and the sheepskin-lined denim jacket he was wearing.

Schmitz said the search would resume when conditions improve.