Man Hospitalized After Being Rescued from Lake Washington
Published on July 16, 2025
Media Contact:
Angela Brown
Communications Coordinator – Community Safety
abrown@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3017
KIRKLAND, Wash. – An 18-year-old Seattle man is in the hospital after being rescued from Lake Washington at Houghton Beach Park on the evening of Tuesday, July 15.
At approximately 9:57 p.m., Kirkland Police and Fire were dispatched to reports of a possible drowning. Rescue crews from Kirkland, Bellevue, and Redmond responded to the scene.
Witnesses reported the man had been swimming with friends from the north dock to the south dock when he went under and did not resurface. Three off-duty City of Kirkland lifeguards were already in the water searching when Kirkland Fire crews arrived.
A Kirkland Firefighter located the man at the bottom of the lake, and the water rescue team quickly pulled him to shore. He was treated by medical personnel before being transported to a local hospital. It is believed the man was underwater for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. No additional details of the man’s condition are available at this time.
This incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of water safety, especially during the summer months when more people are enjoying the lake.
Kirkland Fire and Police encourage the community to keep the following water safety tips in mind:
- Know your limits: Lake Washington may appear calm on the surface, but swimming long distances can be physically demanding. Only swim as far as you're confident you can return.
- Wear a life jacket: Even strong swimmers can tire or experience muscle cramps. Life jackets save lives, especially in open water.
- Be cautious of cold water shock: Lake temperatures can remain dangerously cold below the surface, even on hot days. Cold water can impair your ability to swim or breathe properly.
- Never swim alone: Always swim with a buddy and keep an eye on each other.
- Watch for sudden drop-offs: Lake bottoms can be unpredictable, with steep changes in depth.
- Call for help immediately: If someone is in distress, call 911 right away. Trained rescue personnel can respond quickly.
For more information about water safety in Kirkland, watch Let’s Chat: Water Safety from Kirkland’s Office of Emergency Management.
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