KING COUNTY, Wash. — The search for a 61-year-old man who went underwater after jumping into Lake Washington Friday afternoon without a life jacket is now a recovery mission, the Mercer Island Police Department confirmed.
Rescuers with Bellevue Fire and the Mercer Island Police Marine Patrol were called at 4:20 p.m. for a surface water rescue between the cities of Medina, Seattle and Mercer Island.
Officials said a 911 caller said his uncle had jumped into the water from their moving boat and refused to get back into the boat after the caller turned back to get his uncle.
After several minutes in an attempt to get the man back in the boat, the caller told police his uncle did not resurface.
Due to how long the man was underwater and at a depth of 170 feet, the rescue turned into a recovery mission.
“No rescue is possible at those depths and marine patrol officers began the investigation and recovery phase of the operation,” Mercer Island police said.
Officials said electronic sonar devices and remotely operated vehicles will be used to find and recover the victim’s body.
The investigation is ongoing.
Our units were called for a surface water rescue for an adult male who had disappeared under the water after jumping into Lake Washington without a life jacket. Due to the length of time under and water depth, @MercerIslandPD is now handling as a recovery operation. pic.twitter.com/R6cjnogfRm
— Bellevue Fire Dept (@BvueFD) July 30, 2021
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