HORSESHOE LAKE, Wash. – Spokane County deputies rescued two people whose canoe had capsized at Horseshoe Lake.
On April 11, around 3:40 p.m., the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office received a call that two males had fallen into Horseshoe Lake after capsizing their canoe. Deputies report that the victims were for help and were very cold.
Two deputies arrived at the scene within 10 minutes and reported that the victims were 150 to 200 yards away from the shoreline.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Marine and Emergency Operations Unit (EOT-Dive Team members) were advised and began responding to assist with the rescue.
The victims said they had life jackets in the canoe but didn’t have them on and couldn’t grab them quickly enough when it capsized. They told Deputies they were barely holding on and didn’t think they could make it much longer.
Deputies report the lake water was estimated to be in the 40s, and both victims had been in the frigid water for approximately 50 minutes, causing hypothermia symptoms to occur.
Deputies saw the victims and, fearing for their lives, located a small aluminum boat and a kayak on the shore nearby.
Deputies say they quickly retrieved a pair of bolt cutters and some rope from a patrol car, cut the chain that secured the boat, and tied a line to the tiny kayak.
The deputies then reached the victims, who were “shivering violently and uncontrollably.”
Deputies say both victims had lost the use of their legs due to the extreme cold, and one had limited use of his arm.
Deputies then were able to transport the victims back to shore to receive care for hypothermia.
The victims were transported to the hospital for additional care and are expected to make a full recovery.
