Multiple factors contributed to 15-year-old’s drowning at state park, fire officials say

An investigation is underway following the drowning death of a 15-year-old girl at Lake Sammamish State Park.

According to Eastside Fire & Rescue, the teen disappeared while in the water Sunday afternoon.

Catherine Imboden, the public information officer for Eastside Fire & Rescue, said several factors may have played a role in the drowning, including cold water temperatures, heavy clothing, rapidly changing depths near shore, and the girl’s ability to swim.

“Be mindful of the cold water, right. Go in slowly,” Imboden told KIRO Newsradio. “Make sure you’re aware of it. Don’t just jump into the cold water.”

The girl was located about 20 feet underwater after a search lasting roughly 20 minutes. She was declared dead at the scene despite officials spending more than an hour trying to revive her.

“Tragically, the teenage patient did not survive,” Eastside Fire & Rescue stated.

EF&R, KCSO, @IssaquahPolice, @BvueFD and Fall City Fire responded to reports of a female underwater at Lake Sammamish State Park. Crews were able to locate the female, pull her from the water, and try for more than an hour with CPR and other life saving efforts. Tragically, the… pic.twitter.com/Sct5fcOYh5

— Eastside Fire & Rescue (@EastsideFire) June 15, 2026

Fire crews said they had trouble reaching the girl because of illegally parked cars in the park.

“We had to turn our lights and sirens on just to get out of the park because there were so many people in the way,” Imboden told KIRO 7.

Officials are urging caution as more people head to lakes and rivers this summer.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the teen’s official cause of death.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Contributing: KIRO 7

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