Bellevue, Washington – Two Boaters Rescued from Lake Sammamish

Bellevue, Washington (March 2, 2020) – Two people whose boat sunk were rescued from the waters of Lake Sammamish near Weowna Park on Monday afternoon. According to the article from Patch, the two patients were safely taken to the shore, where they were warmed up in a vehicle from Eastside Fire. The two boaters did not require a hospital visit, and no other injuries were reported in the incident.

According to information from the Bellevue Fire Department, crews were called to the scene before 1 p.m. for reports of people in the water. A ladder truck team and a marine unit from the sheriff’s office reached the victims and brought them back to shore. The cause of the incident was not reported.

About Boat Accidents

Like any other vehicle, boats can be involved in dangerous accidents. According to data from the American Boating Association, in the year 2016 a total of 4463 recreational boating accidents were reported, with 701 deaths and 2903 injuries. Additionally, in 80% of accidents where the cause of death was known, the victims of fatal boats accidents drowned, with 83% of drowning victims not wearing a life jacket. Additionally, in 171 known accidents, at least one person was struck by a propeller, resulting in 24 deaths and 175 injuries. As for the type of vessel used in these accidents, the highest percentage of deaths was associated with open motorboats at 47%, followed by kayaks at 13% and canoes with 9%. As for the cause of the accidents, alcohol is know to be the leading known contributing factor to fatal boat accidents. Other cause of accidents included operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure.

Preventing boating accidents comes down to ensuring boat safety regulations are followed. Like with any other vehicle, the vessel itself must be checked to make sure it is safe to use. Proper knowledge of the area where one will be boating is also encouraged. It is also important to make sure that all people on the boat have access to safety devices such as life jackets. Preventing accidents ensures not only our safety, but the safety of others.

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