Man dies in rafting accident near Oso

OSO — A man died while rafting on the North Fork Stillaguamish River on Sunday afternoon, but a woman with him was able to swim ashore, authorities said.

The rafting accident unfolded near the 22400 block of Highway 530, downstream from confluence of Deer Creek and the North Fork Stilly.

Witnesses started calling 911 around 2:30 p.m. to report seeing the pair in the water.

Trouble had begun when the two rafts they were riding in became entangled on the logs, Oso Fire Chief Willy Harper said. The woman made it out of the river on her own, without serious injury.

A rescue hovercraft traveled downstream to recover the man.

“He was lifeless when they pulled him out,” Harper said.

On shore, crews tried to revive him, without success, he said.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the cause of the accident.

The man and woman’s ages and hometowns were not released Sunday, sheriff’s Lt. Kathi Lang said.

Responding to the rescue were the Stillaguamish Swift Water Rescue Team, the sheriff’s Marine Services Unit and Snohomish County Search and Rescue.

Last week, as the summer-like weekend forecast became apparent, state and local agencies urged boaters and swimmers to be careful.

Despite the warm air, water in rivers and lakes is cold from snow melt, the state Health Department warned. Most river and creek water temperatures range from the upper 30s to the mid 40s.

Those conditions are in effect on the Stilly.

“The river is cold and fast right now,” Harper said.

Treacherous, fast-moving waters can overwhelm experienced rafters.

The late Everett City Councilman Drew Nielsen was an expert-level rafter known for being safety conscious. The 61-year-old died last May after becoming trapped underwater on the Green River in south King County.

Since 2008, about a dozen people have died in boating accidents in Snohomish and Island counties, state data show. Common factors include not wearing life jackets, using alcohol or drugs, and falling overboard.

There was no immediate word that any of those factors contributed to Sunday’s accident.

The county had one boating-related drowning in March on Silver Lake. In that case, police believe Richard J. Grimes, 49, of Everett, was fishing when he ended up in the water and drowned.

Authorities caution boaters to check weather and water conditions before heading out. They should let people know where they’re going and when they plan to check in. That information can aid rescue crews in an emergency and help find people faster.

All boaters should wear life jackets that fit well and meet modern U.S. Coast Guard standards.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.

Water safety tips

• Never use inner tubes and rafts designed for swimming pools on open water.

• Know your limits; do not attempt a section of river beyond your skill level.

• Pay attention to weather and water conditions. Wear wool clothing or a wet suit and dress for the water temperature. If the water temperature and air temperature combined total 100 degrees or less, wear protective clothing.

• Enter cold water slowly.

• Avoid swimming near boat ramps or in boating areas.

• Avoid downed trees, snags and confluences.

• If your vessel capsizes, float on your back, feet together and pointed downstream. If you go over a ledge or drop, tuck into a ball.

• If you’re caught in a fast-flowing river or rapids, try to float feet first in a half-sitting position. Release your craft only if it improves your safety. Stay upstream, away from the boat.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Three injured after high-speed, head-on collision on Highway 522

Washington State Patrol is investigating the crash that happened before 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.