Spokane Valley man drowns trying to save capsized wife, child

A 35-year-old Spokane Valley man drowned in Corbin Park Friday, after the kayak his wife and child were in capsized and he jumped into the water to try to rescue them, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff news release.

Around 5:50 p.m. Friday, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, marine section and dive rescue team along with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded to the call at Corbin Park, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff news release.

After the man dove in to get his wife and child, the two were safely rescued by an unspecified party, according to the release, but they believed the man had already made it to the shore. Family and friends searched for him for several minutes, the release says.

A search conducted by Kootenai deputies and the marine division found the man around 6:50 p.m. and brought him to shore. Medics pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to the release.

The man was not wearing a life jacket. Deputies don’t know if alcohol was a factor. The investigation is ongoing, according to the release.