Crabber drowns after falling from kayak and getting tangled in rope, Washington cops say
A 50-year-old crabber drowned after his kayak flipped and he got tangled in rope in Washington, deputies said.
The man was crabbing Monday, July 1, in the Hood Canal in Seabeck, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
At one point, his kayak overturned, sending him into the water with his crab pot rope, deputies said.
He got caught in the rope and tried to put on a life jacket, deputies said. But his life jacket also got tangled in the rope.
Rescuers recovered his body from the water, deputies said.
Now, authorities are reminding the public to always wear a life jacket while using kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, jet skis or other smaller vessels.
“Life jackets must be onboard and easily accessible for each person aboard larger boats,” deputies said.
Seabeck is 42 miles northwest of Seattle.
Thousands of people drown every year
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
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