1 Dead In Alder Lake Drowning

EATONVILLE, WA — A 21-year-old man has died after being submerged in the cold waters of Alder Lake.

According to first responders, the man had been swimming with a friend around 4:30 p.m. Monday when he had a panic attack 30 to 40 feet from the shore and was quickly pulled under water. Witnesses called for help and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department's Marine Services Unit, the Dive Team and Firefighters with Pierce County Fire District 23 were all called in to search for the man.

Eventually, the team of firefighters used snorkels to search the lakebed near where the swimmer was last seen, and found the man drifting several feet under the water. He was quickly pulled out of the lake and rushed by paramedics to a nearby hospital, but died later that evening.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department say it's a sobering reminder that, despite the recent heat wave over western Washington, the water can still be shockingly cold, and those who aren't prepared for the cold can end up in a dangerous situation.