No developments in search for presumably missing kayaker on Echo Lake

Shoreline Fire rescue swimmers and KCSO divers prepare to go in the water. The small blue boat is the boat that was floating upside down in the lake. Shoreline Fire brought their Sea Do, a 1-2 person motorized watercraft (not pictured) The red & white board is a paddle board. Fire also brought a board (not pictured) meant to pull up a patient. Photo by Michael Wansley. 

On Saturday morning, May 18, 2024, at 7:45am a lakeside resident noticed a capsized kayak floating near the center of Echo Lake in Shoreline and called 911.

The caller did not see anyone in the water at this time but did recall seeing a person in the same or similar kayak earlier in the morning. 

King County Sheriff’s Office deputies (Shoreline PD) and Shoreline FD rescue swimmers responded. A search of the lake was conducted throughout the day by the Fire Department rescue swimmers, KCSO dive unit, with support from Bothell PD. 

As of 6:00am Sunday morning, no body has been located or recovered. Deputies contacted many residents around the lake and have not yet identified any missing persons or the owner of the kayak. Regular kayakers did not recognize the boat or the description of the kayaker.

KCSO divers were out again on Sunday with no reported results.

This is an open investigation.

Worth noting is that the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary advises paddleboarders to put a waterproof ID sticker inside their boats. When small craft such as kayaks or canoes are found adrift, typically there is no way of determining whether or not individuals may be in distress. In such situations, having timely access to some basic information can make all the difference.

--Diane Hettrick

5-20-2024 Corrections to references to personnel and equipment on scene.