Officials Issue Life Jacket Reminder After Weekend Water Rescues

The King County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that even though he was wearing a personal flotation device, a man was killed on the Green River over the weekend.

The man, 61-year-old Drew T. Nielsen, an Everett City Council member, died in the Ravensdale area, according to the King County Medical Examiner's office. The cause of death was drowning and the manner of death designated an accident.

The Seattle Times reports that Nielsen was a three-term Everett City Council member who is an experienced whitewater rafter and he had been rafting Saturday when the accident occurred. When the raft flipped, Nielsen's wife was able to escape, but he was not. (Read the story)

According to the Maple Valley Reporter, Nielsen and his party were wearing helmets, life vests and wet suits. The accident took place in an area of the river called 'the faucet.' No other fatalities occurred. (Read the story)

Officials insist that life jackets should still always be worn when on the water. "Flotation devices are like seatbelts," said a Sheriff's Office press release. "They often help you survive the unexpected, but unfortunately there are no guarantees."

The Sheriff's Office Marine Unit responded to several incidents this past weekend on the Green River as well as on Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish.There was also a rescue of a Bellevue man in the Skykomish River in Snohomish County.

“Make sure that you and your children are wearing life jackets while enjoying King County waters," said King County Sheriff Steve Strachan. 

Additionally, "stay sensible, safe and sober," a sheriff's office press release advised.

The Washington State Department of Health issued a similar reminder last week regarding the need to wear life jackets on the water ().