Boy, 14, Drowns Off Seward Park

A 14-year-old boy drowned off Seward Park yesterday evening after he went for a swim with friends in the chilly waters of Lake Washington, authorities said.

The teen was estimated to be under water for as long as 30 minutes before he was rescued by a boater who put on his diving suit and pulled the boy from the murky water, said Seattle Police Lt. Robin Clark.

Seattle Fire Department medics, tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate the teen on shore before taking him to Harborview Medical Center. A hospital spokeswoman said the boy arrived at 9:05 p.m. and died at 9:47 p.m.

The teen was swimming with several friends at a popular summer swimming dock off Andrews Bay in Seward Park about 8 p.m. when he began having trouble keeping his head above water, authorities said. The water is about 10 to 12 feet deep in the area.

Friends began calling for help, and a bicyclist in the area flagged down a police officer in a patrol car for help, Clark said.

Seattle Police Harbor Patrol officials arrived by land and water about 8:15 p.m., said Sgt. Terry Jackson of the Harbor Patrol.

The diver who found the boy volunteered his services because Harbor Patrol divers were several minutes away from the scene, Clark said.

By coincidence, yesterday was Opening Day of boating season, although the drowning was not related, Jackson said.

Lake Washington is about 50 degrees, cold enough to cause a swimmer to quickly grow numb and have trouble staying afloat, he said.

However, swimming is not prohibited at this time of year, Clark said. Seattle Parks officials generally advise people to swim at their own risk in the off-season.