Police Department

SPD is investigating a drowning in the Spokane River.

Officer Joshua Laiva #1231

Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 4:38 p.m.

The Spokane Police Department is investigating a drowning in the Spokane River.

Today, July 8, just before 1:00PM, the Spokane Police Department aided by the Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Valley Fire Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Department Water Rescue units responded to the area of E. Upriver Drive / N. Havana St., for the report of a drowning. Witnesses reported seeing a male go into the water from the south side of the river, who had trouble while attempting to swim in the river. Witnesses tried to help the male who was yelling for help, however he went underneath the water before they were able to help him. The Spokane Valley Fire Department and the Spokane Fire Department Water Rescue units were able to locate the male’s body in the water, and brought him out of the water to start CPR. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The identity of the deceased and the cause of death will be released by the Spokane Medical Examiner’s Office once proper notifications have been made to the family of the deceased.

The Spokane Police Department would like to remind everyone to be safe while enjoying our beautiful lakes and rivers and consider wearing a life jacket when out in the water. Even if you’re considered a good swimmer, you can still drown when not using a floatation device. Studies have shown that 2/3 of drownings were people who were considered good swimmers, but did not wear anything to protect them in the water.

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