Breaking news: Five-year-old feared drowned near Randle, father survives

Updated

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Responders are attempting to recover the body of a 5-year-old Tacoma boy who fell into the Cispus River near Randle yesterday as he was riding his motorcycle at an unimproved campground.

His 32-year-old father jumped in after the child but was unable to reach him before the boy was swept away, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The father was able to reach the shore after being carried downstream about a half mile, the sheriff’s office stated in a news release this morning.

Teams working last night believed they spotted little one’s helmet snagged on a log approximately one mile down river from from where he went in, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. The recovery operation resumed at daylight this morning, according to Brown.

Deputies, firefighters and swift water team members out of Toledo responded about 7 p.m. last night to reports of possible drownings.

The site is beyond the Cispus Learning Center is in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which is about seven miles south of Randle.

Due to darkness and the extremely swift water, teams had to discontinue the search last night, according to Brown.

The boy was camping with his family over the weekend about 10 and a half miles south of Randle, along Forest Service Road 120, off Forest Service Road 23.

Brown said he was wearing full protective riding gear and a helmet, and it appeared he got to close to the river bank and went in.

The river is running very fast at this time of year due to snow melt, Brown indicated, and the water temperatures are extremely cold.

On the scene this morning are deputies, members of Lewis County Fire Districts 14 Randle and 2 Toledo, water rescue specialists from Lewis and Thurston counties, Packwood Search and Rescue and a Fish and Wildlife agent, according to Brown.

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7 Responses to “Breaking news: Five-year-old feared drowned near Randle, father survives”

  1. Cameron says:

    We continue to ask our KACS-KACW network listeners to pray for the boy’s family, and for the search and rescue team as they attempt to make a recovery for the family as soon as possible. We also admire our media colleagues for offering the use of their helicopter at Sheriff Mansfield’s request. It was a great help to the search and recovery efforts. Our thoughts and hearts are with the family, and the search team.

  2. BobbyinLC says:

    Let’s not forget the people involved in the recovery too. This would be the Sheriff’s Office. search and rescue and several fire districts. I cannot imagine the pain they felt when they thought they were going to recover the little boy on Tuesday and only found his empty helmet visor. These are people who are dedicated to helping others and the complete feeling of helplessness that they are now feeling can be devastating.

    The family standing by waiting for word….this is such a wide spread tragedy. I pray they find him soon.

  3. Free Air says:

    A very heart felt “Thank You” to KIRO News for assisting with their helicopter.

    I’m unable to fathom how much pain that family must be in today. How utterly depressing these type of stories are.

  4. Johnson says:

    This was an extended family member of my husbands. My heart breaks for the family. These parents are absolutely amazing with the kids. They Did absolutely nothing wrong. They were out having a great weekend with their kids and this horrific accident happen. I can not fathom what they are going threw! I hope everyone can be there for them and not make judgments. I hope they know how truly loved they are!

  5. Dawn Miles says:

    My heart aches for the little boy and his family. My prayers go out to them. This is an extreme reminder that despite the good weather our waters are still very dangerous and people need to be EXTREMELY cautious. I will keep the boy and his family in my prayers and may they be given some sort of peace and comfort through this. I cannot imagine what they are going through and feeling right now. My deepest and most sincere sympathy to them.

  6. Ridge says:

    Very sad for his family. Feeling very sorry for his Dad who risked his own life trying to rescue his son. That river is very dangerous and flows are high and fast right now. Prayers for everyone involved.

  7. Lisarae says:

    Noooooooooooooooooooo!