North Cove, WA. – On June 11th at approximately 6:53 pm, the Pacific County Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a swimmer in distress in the ocean off of Washaway Beach. The caller advised that the area of the incident was near Willows Lane. A deputy was in the area of the reported incident and arrived just minutes later. The United States Coast Guard was also notified and they deployed a rescue vessel and a helicopter. Washington State Parks Officers also responded to the scene.
Upon arriving, the deputy visually observed the distressed swimmer in the ocean approximately 150 yards away. The deputy spoke with friends of the swimmer in distress and they advised that they had all went for a swim in the ocean. They advised the deputy that they struggled to get back to shore but their friend in distress was too far out and was unable to make it back, possibly due to rip currents. The friends told the deputy that they had tried to help him but were unsuccessful. The deputy maintained a visual observation of the distressed swimmer for approximately 20 minutes before witnessing the swimmer go out of sight under the water.
The Coast Guard vessel and helicopter arrived at approximately 7:40 pm and began to search for the swimmer. The deputy was in radio contact with the helicopter and was advised that the helicopter crew had a visual on the swimmer and he appeared to be unresponsive and under water. The rescue vessel attempted to recover the swimmer but was unsuccessful due to the ocean tide and currents as they swept the swimmer further beneath the ocean. The recovery search of the victim continued till 9:52 pm. Due to lighting conditions, the recovery search was discontinued.
The distressed swimmer, identified as Connor K. Le, age 20, is presumed as having drowned. Le was in the area with his friends at a vacation cabin for the weekend near the location of the incident. Le’s body has not yet been recovered. Mr. Le’s family has been notified of the incident.
Upon arriving, the deputy visually observed the distressed swimmer in the ocean approximately 150 yards away. The deputy spoke with friends of the swimmer in distress and they advised that they had all went for a swim in the ocean. They advised the deputy that they struggled to get back to shore but their friend in distress was too far out and was unable to make it back, possibly due to rip currents. The friends told the deputy that they had tried to help him but were unsuccessful. The deputy maintained a visual observation of the distressed swimmer for approximately 20 minutes before witnessing the swimmer go out of sight under the water.
The Coast Guard vessel and helicopter arrived at approximately 7:40 pm and began to search for the swimmer. The deputy was in radio contact with the helicopter and was advised that the helicopter crew had a visual on the swimmer and he appeared to be unresponsive and under water. The rescue vessel attempted to recover the swimmer but was unsuccessful due to the ocean tide and currents as they swept the swimmer further beneath the ocean. The recovery search of the victim continued till 9:52 pm. Due to lighting conditions, the recovery search was discontinued.
The distressed swimmer, identified as Connor K. Le, age 20, is presumed as having drowned. Le was in the area with his friends at a vacation cabin for the weekend near the location of the incident. Le’s body has not yet been recovered. Mr. Le’s family has been notified of the incident.
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