205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
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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 - 01/31/2015 - Members of the Kittitas County Sheriff's Dive Team recovered the body of a Lynnwood man about 4:00 AM this morning.
Sheriff's deputies responded to the call shortly after midnight, 25 year old Tylor McFarland, his 17 year old stepsister, another friend and their dog were rafting on the Yakima River, 8 miles West of Cle Elum when their raft hit a log,sending them all into the dark fast moving water. The two survivors reported that all three surfaced and were trying to swim to shore when they lost sight of McFarlad. Hearing the cries for help, a neighbor called 911. Upon arrival, Responding deputies and local firefighters found the friend and stepsister safely out of the river and the family dog stranded on the far side near the fallen tree. Members of the dive team recovered Mr. McFarland's body from the river-bottom about 30 feet from riverbank. Deputies were able to retrieve his dog, uninjured. The survivors reported they frequent the family cabin just West of where the incident occurred and float the river often, the last time being two weeks prior. Alcohol was involved in this event and none of the rafters were wearing life jackets. The tree they hit had fallen across the current sometime in the last week. "our hearts go out to the family and friends for their loss". "We remind people of the risks associated with rafting at night and recommend wearing life jackets. We also encourage people to contact the Sheriff's Office Marine Unit for information on current conditions and regulations".
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