YMCA settles suit with family of man who died in sauna

ABERDEEN - The family of a man who died in a sauna at the YMCA here received $240,000 yesterday in the settlement of a wrongful-death lawsuit.

Alvin Travis, 68, of Aberdeen, a diabetic with high blood pressure who was the father of nine, was found dead in 1997, four hours after the YMCA closed. The staff had gone home, not realizing he was still in the sauna.

Travis' family also argued the YMCA failed to post health warnings provided by the sauna manufacturer.

"These warnings were absolutely essential," said Franklin Shoichet, a Seattle attorney who represented the Travis family. "In 1970, the Federal Trade Commission warned the public that diabetics and persons with high blood pressure should not be using saunas."

An autopsy determined that the heat from the sauna, which was left on 24 hours a day at 150 degrees, coupled with Travis' diabetes and high blood pressure, contributed to his death, Shoichet said.

Rob Novasky, the Seattle attorney representing the YMCA, said the settlement is fair.

Shoichet said the sauna manufacturer provided a metal warning plaque that was never posted.