Young Adult Loses His Life in Spokane River

Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies and multiple other agencies responded to a possible drowning in the Spokane River.  Life-saving efforts began after citizens pulled the young adult man from the water and were continued by arriving first responders.   Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.    

On July 19, 2024, at approximately 1:40 pm, Spokane County Sheriff Deputies responded to the report of a possible drowning in the Spokane River near N. Starr Road and E. River Road.  Multiple first responders, including Liberty Lake Police, Spokane Valley Fire, AMR, Kootenai County Fire, and LifeFlight, responded to the location to assist.  

Citizens had pulled the 18-year-old male victim from the water and started CPR when first responders arrived and took over life-saving efforts.  LifeFlight also responded to potentially transport the male, but sadly, efforts to save the young man’s life were not successful, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.   

Witnesses told Deputies the male was swimming and having fun with a group when, within a couple of minutes later, he was observed floating face down.  They rushed to rescue him while yelling for others in the area to help.  

They pulled the male from the water and began life-saving measures until they were relieved by first responders.   

The decedent was not wearing a PFD (life jacket) at the time of this tragic loss of life.  

The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the man, along with his cause and manner of death, at a later time, when appropriate.

Please remember that the Spokane River can appear to be a safe, refreshing place to escape the heat, but it is still cold, and the current can be very deceptive.  Every summer, the lives of swimmers, or people recreating on or near the river while enjoying its beauty, have been tragically lost.

Please be safe while enjoying our beautiful lakes and waterways. We urge everyone to wear approved life jackets, especially at the Spokane River.         

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This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Young Adult Loses His Life in Spokane River" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7