Man missing, presumed drowned on Banks Lake

COULEE CITY — First responders searched for a man who went missing on Banks Lake near Coulee City Park on Friday, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders from multiple agencies searched the water for the man, who had not been named as of Saturday. Divers from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police watercraft as well as two GCSO deputies on personal watercraft searched for the man most of the day Friday. The situation was transitioned from rescue to recovery by Friday afternoon, usually indicating that searchers believed the man had drowned.

GCSO initially reported the incident at about 9:30 a.m. Friday. Agencies involved included the Coulee City Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 6, Grant County Fire District 7, GCSO, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Okanogan County Search and Rescue and the Bureau of Land Management.

In a recent interview, Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said county residents and visitors are encouraged to ask GCSO to inspect their watercraft for sufficient lifesaving equipment such as flotation devices and asked that people be cautious on the water as summer progresses.