Boy, 7, hospitalized after fall at Whatcom Falls

Published 5:04 pm Tuesday, May 13, 2014

BELLINGHAM — Bellingham police say a 7-year-old boy has been hospitalized after he slipped and went under water at Whatcom Falls Park.

Police Lt. Bob Vander Yacht says rescuers located the boy in a pool in Whatcom Creek Tuesday afternoon after searching for nearly two hours.

He says the boy was taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, where life-saving efforts continued. Earlier reports said the boy had died.

The boy was on a trip with his family. They were on flat rock at the top of a 20- to 25-foot waterfall when the boy lost his footing and was swept downstream. His family called 911 at about 1:15 p.m.

Officials were able to lower the water level of the creek, and rescuers found the boy. He was not immediately identified.