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News brief: Fisherman hospitalized after near drowning on Cowlitz River

Updated at 11:24 a.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Update: The sheriff’s office reports he passed away just before 5 p.m. yesterday.

Previously: A fly fisherman who slipped into the Cowlitz River but was pulled to safety by another person fishing yesterday was transferred to the intensive care unit of Providence St. Peter Hospital, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The man was unconscious but the rescuer performed CPR.

It happened about 500 yards downstream from the Blue Creek Boat Launch south of Ethel.

The sheriff’s office identifies the victim as a 63-year-old resident of Gig Harbor.

According to the sheriff’s office, witnesses saw him wading out in to the water, going farther in when he apparently slipped and went under into a current. The other fishermen saw the incident and jumped in and dragged the man to shore.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said she is waiting this morning to learn more about his condition.