Searchers Find Hiker’s Body

Searchers on Monday found the body of a hiker who apparently was swept away by the swift waters of Sunday Creek.

The 47-year-old Duvall, Wash., man, whose name was not immediately released, disappeared Sunday while trying to cross the creek. A search by more than 30 King County search-and-rescue workers Sunday was suspended because of darkness.

The search resumed at daylight Monday. A King County police helicopter spotted a backpack shortly after 7:30 a.m. about a half mile downstream from where the man was last seen, police spokeswoman Joanne Elledge said.

Four search-and-rescue divers were sent in and found a body attached to the pack. The body was caught in some debris, and more divers were sent in to help pull it out.

Crews planned to remove the body by helicopter.

The man was described by his hiking companion as an experienced outdoorsman.

The companion told police the pair had set out for a three-day hike with full equipment. As the missing man was crossing the creek, the companion looked away briefly and then did not see the other man again.