EWU student drowns in Idaho
A Japanese student studying at Eastern Washington University drowned while canoeing in Idaho on Saturday, and another remains missing.
Divers combed the bottom of Winchester Lake, about 30 miles southeast of Lewiston, until dark Saturday and again on Sunday. The search was suspended late Sunday afternoon because of the cold weather and water, Lewis County Sheriff Randal Wadley said.
“We can’t find him right now,” Wadley said Monday. “It’s impossible, and I don’t have the people.”
Deputies continued to search from the shore on Monday and were awaiting the arrival of sonar equipment from Boise, Wadley said.
Divers did discover the body of Tetsuya Nasu about 150 feet from shore Saturday. His family is flying into Spokane today.
Both students were attending classes at EWU’s Asia University America Program, which hosts about 90 Japanese students for five-month sessions twice a year. Western Washington University and Central Washington University also host AUAP students from Japan.
The students involved in the fatal accident were on a weekend outing with a larger group of about nine students, said EWU spokeswoman Stefanie Pettit.
Students frequently take trips, often with American friends, to explore U.S. culture.
The accident occurred when three students were in the middle of the lake Saturday and their canoe capsized. None was wearing a life preserver, Wadley said.
The students tried to right the canoe and climb back aboard but couldn’t, Wadley said.
All three tried to swim to shore, but two didn’t make it, Wadley said.
The surviving student contacted police around 1 p.m., about 30 minutes after the accident, Wadley said.
The mood on EWU’s Cheney campus was quieter than usual in the Pence Union Building public cafeteria.
On Monday morning, one Japanese woman put her head down on a railing with friends leaning over to console her.
“There’s a lot of sad eyes,” said Alex Forness, an EWU sophomore who is friends with some of the students. The students come from all over Japan, but since arriving on campus Sept. 13, they’ve become very close, Forness said.
“It’s a little rough right now,” he said.
Students were not taking regular classes Monday. Instead, they were gathering so they could receive updates on the missing student. Counseling is being offered.
EWU President Stephen Jordan released a message to the campus Monday explaining the events.
“As a university community, we extend our most sincere condolences to family and friends and are offering support services to AUAP students and others affected by this tragedy,” Jordan wrote. “The families of the two students are arriving from Japan today, and we will be assisting them however we can.”
The AUAP program based in Tokyo has been placing students in Washington schools since 1989.
Evelyn Renshaw, curriculum director of EWU’s program, referred all questions to the university spokeswoman.
In previous interviews, Renshaw explained how students take full advantage of their time in the United States by exploring, often with American friends.