North Carolina man drowns in Colchuck Lake

LEAVENWORTH — A 30-year-old man from North Carolina drowned in Colchuck Lake on Aug. 3.

According to Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), RiverCom received a report of the emergency just after 7 p.m. via a satellite text-to-911 call, telling the dispatch that the swimmer had been underwater for five minutes and was not breathing. An additional person informed the dispatch via satellite text that CPR was being performed. Coordinates indicated the group was located on the west side of Colchuck Lake.

A CCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator was immediately called, who requested a hoist capable helicopter through the Washington State Department of Emergency Management.

The U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment (Yakima Dustoff) was called due to their proximity, ability to respond with a paramedic, and the remote location of the incident. The team arrived about an hour and a half after the initial report and inserted a medic to the patient by hoist. Six volunteers from Chelan County Volunteer SAR and two CCSO SAR Deputies were deployed on the ground to assist if needed.

The man was transported to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery where Cascade Medical paramedics were standing by, but did not survive.

Ground responders met and assisted the remaining three people from the hiking group, as well as a separate group that pulled the man from the water and performed CPR for over an hour while waiting for resources.