A 19-year-old man remains missing after authorities said he may have entered Lake Washington from a moving recreational boat near Mercer Island during Seafair weekend. Search crews have now suspended active operations, leaving investigators to determine whether he reached shore or was picked up by another vessel.
The incident began late Friday night as a boat returning from the Seafair log boom slowed near the eastern high-rise of the I-90 floating bridge. According to KOMO News, the passenger was reported missing at about 10:40 p.m., prompting a multi-agency marine response.
Crews searched roughly 10 square miles using searchlights, thermal drones and infrared equipment, with help from the U.S. Coast Guard, Mercer Island Police Marine Patrol, Seattle Harbor Patrol, Bellevue Fire, Eastside Fire and Clyde Hill Police. MyNorthwest reports that nighttime operations were halted around 12:30 a.m. because of darkness, then resumed Saturday morning before the active search was suspended.
Investigators Still Seeking Clues About Missing Passenger
Authorities have not publicly identified the man and have not confirmed whether he drowned, made it to land or boarded another boat. Mercer Island police said investigators remain in contact with his family and are asking anyone with information about the disappearance to contact dispatch at 425-577-5656, according to KOMO News.
