Search halted for man who fell into ‘dangerous’ Skykomish River

Published 11:30 am Sunday, June 18, 2017

INDEX — Searchers were unable to locate a man who reportedly fell into the Skykomish River near Sunset Falls Saturday.

Teams searched for more than two hours before suspending operations. Conditions were too hazardous for divers to stay in the water, where the search area was estimated to be 28 feet deep with a high volume of water rushing over the falls. A remote underwater sonar and camera were used, said Lt. John Flood with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Rescue units from the sheriff’s office, Gold Bar and Index were called out at about 3:45 p.m. A woman, 32, reported that she had been walking near the river with a 49-year-old man when the man slipped and fell into the water.

A helicopter searched from above, rescue teams went out in boats, and volunteers helped on the ground. The man was not found.

“We are still waiting for additional information to help us locate the victim. It’s just too dangerous to put anyone in there,” Flood said. “Hopefully something comes up and we can give the family some closure.”