Boy 11, drowns in Cowlitz River in Randle 

An 11-year-old Tacoma boy drowned in the Cowlitz River in Randle Saturday, July 6, after falling off a paddleboard and being swept under a logjam, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and members of the Swift Water Rescue Team responded to the 200 block of Burton Creek Road at about 11 a.m. Saturday following a report of a drowning.

“Deputies learned that an 11-year-old boy, who was wearing his life jacket, had been paddleboarding with his father in the Cowlitz River near Carr Road when he struck a logjam and fell off the paddleboard,” the sheriff’s office stated in a news release.

The boy’s father attempted to rescue him, but the boy was quickly swept under a second logjam and became submerged, according to the sheriff’s office.

The boy’s body was recovered by the Swift Water Rescue Team and life-saving measures were attempted, according to the sheriff’s office.

The boy was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“This is a very sad and tragic incident,” Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza said in the release. “We ask that everyone be mindful of our rivers as they are still cold and run swiftly this time of year and they can be dangerous even when wearing a life jacket.”