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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man slips, drowns in river


Jackey Starosky comforts her son Tyler Hansen after he saw  Thursday's  drowning. 
 (Holly Pickett / The Spokesman-Review)
Christopher Rodkey Staff writer

A 23-year-old man who lost his footing in the Spokane River drowned Thursday night near Plantes Ferry Park.

Deputies did not release the name of the man, pending notification of family. He was biking with a friend when the pair stopped and decided to go in the water, said Deputy Tom Walker of the Spokane County Sheriff’s office.

The victim told his friend he could swim but apparently could only dog paddle. He slipped while trying to walk through shallow water to a boulder in the river, Walker said.

The man surfaced once and then went under for a final time, deputies were told by a 10-year-old witness who had been playing in the water.

Deputies responded to a 911 call at 5 p.m. and within minutes had pulled the man from the water, and firefighters performed CPR, Walker said.

Deputies do not believe the men had been drinking, he said.

The victim’s friend rode his bike home after the incident.