KIRKLAND, Wash. — An 18-year-old Seattle man has been hospitalized after being pulled from the bottom of Lake Washington on Tuesday night, according to Kirkland city officials.
The man, whose name has not been released, had been swimming with friends at Houghton Beach around 10 p.m. when he attempted to swim from one dock to another and disappeared beneath the surface.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, where three off-duty lifeguards were already in the water searching for the teenager. Visibility was low due to the late hour, and it wasn’t until 15 to 20 minutes after he went missing that a firefighter located him underwater.
“That’s scary," said beachgoer Elle Paramo. "And hard to keep track of your friends when you can’t see.”
The teen was transported to Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, where he remains hospitalized. Officials have not yet released an update on his condition.
“It’s scary,” said Dani Paramo, another beachgoer. “Hopefully they got him in time to get him in a hospital and get him into recovery, and, hopefully he’s OK.”
The incident comes as summer temperatures draw more swimmers to local beaches.
“It’s really hot outside. This is usually our spot in the summer to go swimming," said Becca, a 17-year-old who was also out enjoying Houghton Beach this week.
Kirkland officials are urging people to take extra precautions when in the water — especially when attempting to swim long distances.
Michael, another beachgoer, stressed the importance of staying aware and looking out for others. “Even when you’re on the dock you should be paying attention,” he said, recalling another recent near-drowning at Silver Lake, where a teenager rescued an 11-year-old boy on July 8.
Authorities say the best way to prevent such tragedies is by swimming with friends, wearing life jackets, and knowing your own limits.
"If someone is in distress, call 911 right away," a spokesperson for the City of Kirkland wrote. "Lake Washington may appear calm on the surface, but swimming long distances can be physically demanding. Only swim as far as you're confident you can return."
Officials are reminding all beachgoers to make water safety a priority during the summer season.