Teenage girl drowns in Lake Sammamish

A teenage girl died after she drowned in Lake Sammamish on Sunday.

The 15-year-old girl was outside of the marked swimming area near Sunset Beach at Lake Sammamish State Park, walking a path toward Otel Island, when she went into the water, said Eastside Fire and Rescue spokesperson Catherine Imboden.

The girl’s family called 911 from the beach around 4:30 p.m. reporting that they didn’t have eyes on her, Imboden said. She hadn’t been seen for 10 minutes and the family was “frantic.”

First responders arrived seven minutes later and four divers were in the water quickly after that, Imboden said. They were able to retrieve the girl and “worked as hard as they could to revive her.”

It’s unclear how the girl drowned, or if cold water or her ability to swim played a factor, but the family said she got into water that was much deeper than she expected, Imboden said, and there may have been a drop-off. 

Eastside Fire and Rescue maintains a free life jacket station at Sunset Beach, Imboden said. 

If someone goes underwater or you lose track of them near the water, call 911 right away, Imboden said. The sooner you call, the sooner responders can get there and start lifesaving efforts.

“The minutes matter,” she said.

This is the second time someone has drowned at Lake Sammamish this summer. A 35-year-old man died June 5.

Even though it is hot outside, officials warn that waters are still dangerously cold, which can cause muscle failure in seconds for even the most experienced swimmers. 

When you go out in the water, officials say you should:

• Wear a life jacket.  
• Avoid using alcohol or drugs near open water.  
• Always tell someone where you plan to enter and exit before you go out.  
• “Reach, throw, don’t go” when helping others out of the water.   
• Have an adult watch children swimming or playing near the water at all times.  
• Stay out when water conditions are in doubt.

For more tips on staying safe in chilly Pacific Northwest waters and navigating other dangerous situations, visit st.news/staysafe.