Bystanders help but couldn’t save man who drowned in Kitsap County

Published 11:09 am Friday, July 31, 2015

LONG LAKE — The Kitsap County Sheriff’s office says bystanders formed a chain to try to pull a drowning man to the shore of Long Lake but they couldn’t save him.

Sgt. Jon Van Gesen says the Tacoma man was swimming with friends when he became distressed and called for help. He went under water.

He says people on shore formed a chain and worked to get him out, but he reportedly had been under water for about 10 minutes.

Capt. Mike Kehl with South Kitsap Fire and Rescue says the man died in the ambulance.