Paddleboarder in critical condition after being pulled from Lake Washington
Aug 27, 2026, 4:21 PM | Updated: 5:31 pm
A view of Lake Washington. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
A paddleboarder is in critical condition after being pulled from Lake Washington.
Fire crews said he’s about 60 years old.
Another paddleboarder found the man submerged around 3:30 p.m. Thursday and brought him back to shore near Lake Washington Boulevard and South Alaska Street.
“A passerby noticed an unattended paddleboard off the shore in Lake Washington,” Seattle Police Department Detective Shane Weatherford told KIRO Newsradio. “The paddle board had personal items on top of it, and the paddle was floating away from the board. The passerby swam out to check on the paddle board and saw an unresponsive man below the surface. SPD Harbor Patrol and SFD responded to the scene and brought the man to shore.”
The paddleboarder was rushed to Harborview Medical Center. David Cuerpo, Seattle Fire Department Public Information Officer, told KIRO Newsradio the man was not wearing a life vest or personal flotation device.
“As a water safety tip, we always recommend that if you’re going to be out in the water, please wear a life jacket,” Cuerpo said.
Seattle police are currently investigating.
