205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 08/01/2016 - Kittitas County Sheriff's Marine Patrol responded to multiple water rescue calls Saturday on the Yakima River and the Columbia River.Yakima River: 27 rescues/assists Yakima River: 1 DrowningColumbia River: 3 vessels in distress
The first call came in shortly before noon Saturday morning, five people tangled in a log jam below Ringer boat launch near the mouth of the Yakima Canyon. Members of the Swift-Water Rescue Team found the group had tied tubes and small rafts together and were unable to negotiate around a log jam. One member of the group, 25 year old Albert Schwoch of Gig Harbor, drown at the scene, his leg had wedged in the branches and the current held him under. Members of his group, which included his fiance' and three friends, were unable to reach him. Over the next 2 hours the team rescued members of a large family reunion who had launched above Ringer, this group was also using tubes and small rafts, of the 22 members in this group, including their dog, three were treated for hypothermia and released. The Marine Unit also assisted three vessels on the Columbia River which had become disabled and needed to be towed. Per Undersheriff Myers, " When floating above the Bighorn Launch, near MP 23, we do not recommend tying tubes and rafts together as it greatly reduces your ability to maneuver. We do not recommend launching at or above Ringer unless you have experience and very maneuverable watercraft". If you have questions on water safety or the laws pertaining to water recreation, please call the Sheriff's Office at 509-925-8534 and ask to speak to a member of the Marine Unit.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Clayton Myers, Undersheriffclay.myers@co.Kittitas.wa.us509-925-8534