INDEX — A man drowned on the Fourth of July near Eagle Falls, the third death this year at the popular but dangerous swimming hole on the Skykomish River east of Index, fire officials said.
Around 6:40 p.m. Thursday, three friends were swimming near the falls, Sky Valley Fire Chief Eric Andrews said Friday. Two came out, but one didn’t. Sky Valley Fire crews spotted the man who didn’t make it out. They got him out of the water and took him to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, where he died later that night.
The man was 24, Andrews said. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify him.
What appears to be a beautiful swimming hole is quite dangerous. People can get swept into the falls and then onto sharp rocks. Below the falls, swift undercurrents can unexpectedly drag you under, Andrews said.
The drownings have become common there. In March, two Japanese citizens drowned at the falls.
Eagle Falls drew TikTok fame in 2020, even as two people died there that summer.
“The falls are quite beautiful, very attractive looking,” Andrews said earlier this year. “But that’s also what makes them so dangerous.”
Officials urge swimmers to follow these safety tips when entering the water:
• Always wear a life jacket when you are on the water. Never go near moving water without one.
• Beach logs, riverbanks and rocks near the shore are usually slippery. A fall can knock you unconscious and prevent you from being able to save yourself.
• Consider bringing a whistle. If you are in trouble, it could help alert people nearby.
• Keep kids within arm’s reach. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among young children.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.
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