Man Feared Dead After Disappearing In Lake Washington

BELLEVUE, WA — A man went missing in Lake Washington Friday after jumping into the water without a life jacket, according to the Bellevue Fire Department. Fire officials confirmed a water rescue response in a social media post just before 5 p.m. Because of how much time passed and the depth of the water in the area, Bellevue Fire said the scene was handed over to the Mercer Island Police Department to continue as a recovery operation.

State officials urge caution when swimming in any water below 60 degrees, especially in places without lifeguards, and most of Washington's waterways remain deceptively cold even on hot days. Cold-water shock can set in within a few minutes.