Man dies while kayaking in an Auburn lake, rescuer in critical condition

A man believed to be in his mid-30s is dead after his kayak flipped on an ice-cold lake in Auburn, and the good Samaritan who tried to rescue him is now in critical condition.

911 dispatchers received the call around 5 p.m. Wednesday from Fivemile Lake, a small neighborhood lake in Auburn.

"It was a single person in a kayak-type vessel that overturned. People on the shore and other boaters saw that happen, and a person on the shore ran over, got into the water, went to perform a rescue, ended up struggling in the water," said Pat Pawlak, Division Chief and spokesperson for Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority.

[lesliesorady]

Praying the person who attempted to rescue the kayaker makes a full recovery and prayers for the family and friends of the deceased. Very, very sad situation.

[rights_vs_wrong]

This should be obvious but... If you want to start kayaking you must practice self rescue in shallow water then progressively deeper water and make sure you can reenter your kayak if it flips. Also never, ever take your flotation device off, especially in cold water. There is plenty of online info on this topic, and there is no excuse not to do it.

[cynnx]

it didnt even look very far from shore... if you're going into the water, at least know how to swim! it can save your life

[juniorseyes]

Unfortunately thats what happens when you try helping people. Take this as a life lesson. A very hard lesson to learn.

[sidneyvandykeii]

hobbyist Kayaker had no clue what he was doing. A good Samaritan tried to save his ignorant behind and drowned.
Quite the cause and effect.

[emog]

This is why you can’t save random people in these types of situations. Not knocking the heroic attempt but I’ve seen too many people drown trying to save other people and people don’t realize how hard it is when a swimmer is in distress and thrashing about while you trying save them, they bring you down with them…
I’m sorry but if I saw a random person drowning, I’d be thinking of my loved ones first…

[bennettcawley]

Mattie, thank you for enunciating clearly and speaking slowly enough. Robot arms distracted me, otherwise good take.

[patsutherland]

Heartbreaking and so easily avoided. Wear your PFD!

[toomignon]

PFD’s are absolutely needed any time…never know when a rogue boater could hit you. This time of year you also need a wet suit shirt to protect your core from hypothermia.

[leiag]

I wonder if it’s the same idyit that was on the news last week, talking about a two foot clearance under the bridges.

[Retrracin]

l I was trying to figure out where Fivemile lake then when I googled it it made sense lol it`s five mile lake on the west hill.

[juliaweber]

Wow the water was very cold always wear body suits for cold weather and learn to swim