A man died in the hospital after being transported from near Sterling Landing, between Central Park and Montesano, on Tuesday afternoon.
Servando Gomez-Vazquez, 21, of Elma, was declared dead of suspected drowning by County Coroner George Kelley.
The initial call came in about 6:42 p.m., said Capt. Tony Broten of Grays Harbor Fire District 2.
"We got called down there for possible drowning. A male subject reported as stuck on a logjam," Broken said in an interview. "We heard that the sheriff's office — a couple of deputies had made access into the water and pulled him from the logjam and started CPR."
By the time District 2 firefighters arrived on scene, Gomez-Vazquez was being treated by sheriff's deputies after being in the water for some time, Broten said. Montesano police and fire also responded, Broten said.
"We ran CPR at first. We transported him to community hospital. He had a pulse then," Broken said. "We got information later in the evening that he had passed away."
Kelley said the death is being investigated, although the death appears accidental, Broten said. Broten praised the other departments who responded, particularly sheriff's deputies who began to immediately administer aid.
"I can't speak highly enough about both the relationship and competency of the sheriff's office," Broten said. "They've been really diligent about getting CPR efforts started."
While summer is a time for the outdoors, Broten cautioned people to be careful around the water, to stay safe and prevent injury or tragedy.
"Have personal flotation devices present. Stay in groups. If you don't know how to swim, stay a safe distance away from the water," Broten said. "On a hot day, make sure you hydrate."
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