Teen drowns in Skykomish River after rafting accident
SULTAN, Wash. - Rescue workers have recovered the body of a teen who drowned in the Skykomish River on Friday afternoon.
Russelle Yap, 17, was rafting with a group of eight friends on three separate rafts from Sportman's Park around 1 p.m. when one of the rafts struck debris in the river and knocked two teens into the water.
The rafters managed to pull one of the teens out, but the other got stuck and could not be pulled out.
"The devices were not suitable for the river," said Lt. Rodney Rochon. "And out of the group of nine, there were two life jackets. That was all."
A 90-minute search by river rescue crews ended when the victim's body was found entangled in debris under water west of Sultan.
Divers had a difficult time trying to safely remove the teen from the river, but finally succeeded in recovering his body at approximately 4:46 p.m.
"The hazards of this river are not all visible. And there are many," said Rochon. "It doesn't get any easier, especially when it's a young person, especially when it's preventable."
Russelle Yap, 17, was rafting with a group of eight friends on three separate rafts from Sportman's Park around 1 p.m. when one of the rafts struck debris in the river and knocked two teens into the water.
The rafters managed to pull one of the teens out, but the other got stuck and could not be pulled out.
"The devices were not suitable for the river," said Lt. Rodney Rochon. "And out of the group of nine, there were two life jackets. That was all."
A 90-minute search by river rescue crews ended when the victim's body was found entangled in debris under water west of Sultan.
Divers had a difficult time trying to safely remove the teen from the river, but finally succeeded in recovering his body at approximately 4:46 p.m.
"The hazards of this river are not all visible. And there are many," said Rochon. "It doesn't get any easier, especially when it's a young person, especially when it's preventable."
