Authorities Search for Randle Man Believed to Have Drowned in Riffe Lake
Jun. 28—The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is resuming its search Tuesday for a 36-year-old Randle man believed to have drowned on Monday.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies were dispatched to Riffe Lake for a report of a possible drowning at about 3 p.m.
The first deputy to arrive was able to enter the lake on a private boat while other members of the sheriff's office marine patrol were on the way.
"Witnesses from two different vessels advised a 36 — year-old male of Randle had attempted to swim to shore from an inoperative vessel," according to a news release from the sheriff's office. "They advised the male began to swim a short distance, but then appeared to be in distress.
A boat providing a tow to the inoperative vessel disconnected and attempted to rescue the male, but they were unable to reach him in time."
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office Dive Rescue Team responded to assist in recovery of the individual but they were unsuccessful prior to nightfall.
The team will be continuing their search today.
"Unfortunately, Lewis County is not a stranger to these types of tragedies and we would like to remind the public that while warm weather has finally arrived, the water within our lakes and other bodies of water remain cold and have a potential to be hazardous." the sheriff's office wrote in the release.
