Hiker dies of heart attack on trail near Granite Falls

Published 1:30 am Saturday, November 26, 2016

VERLOT — A man died while hiking near Heather Lake east of Granite Falls on Friday afternoon.

A 911 caller reported the man, 36, was experiencing a medical problem, possibly a seizure, near the Heather Lake Trailhead. That call was made shortly after 2 p.m, Snohomish County sheriff’s Lt. David Bowman said.

Crews from Robe Valley, Granite Falls and Lake Stevens went to help. Also responding was Snohomish County Search and Rescue, as well as its helicopter team, SNOHAWK10.

The hiker’s friends started CPR, Bowman said. A nurse who was hiking in the area also gave the man CPR.

The man’s hometown was not immediately known, but he is believed to be from the Puget Sound area, Bowman said.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner has been asked to determine a cause of death.