Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters were searching for two people who reportedly fell into the water and did not resurface on Saturday.
INDEX, Wash. — The bodies of two people who fell into the water at Eagle Falls on Saturday and did not resurface were recovered Sunday afternoon, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).
The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) unit and fire department rescue swimmers responded to Eagle Falls around 4:15 p.m. on March 16 for reports that two males fell into the falls, said Lt. Glenn DeWitt, public information officer for SCSO.
The person who called 911 said the two people were part of a four-person group at Eagle Falls.
Rescue crews searched for several hours in the evening and into the night, but did not locate the two people, according to DeWitt. Swift-water Rescue team members and drone operators also helped search the area.
Search and rescue efforts were suspended Saturday night and resumed Sunday morning when the efforts turned into a recovery operation.
The sheriff’s office said the bodies of two men were recovered around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. They will be transferred to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Law enforcement knows the identities of the people but did not release them. The Medical Examiner’s Office will be responsible for releasing their identities at a later time.
Snohomish County first responders urge people to stay out of the water and clear from the falls as water temperatures remain frigid.
SCSO safety tips before exploring the county’s waterways:
- Always wear a life jacket when you are on the water and 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 to alert people nearby if you are in trouble.
- Keep kids within arm’s reach. Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among young children.
- Don’t dive in. Two-thirds of catastrophic neck injuries occur in open water and the sea, SCSO said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
