MERCER ISLAND, Wash. — Mercer Island police marine unit is looking for a 19-year-old who went into Lake Washington on Friday night and has not been seen since.
According to police, the 19-year-old was last seen on July 31 around 10:40 p.m.
He was on a boat watching Seafair events, and told his friends he needed to go to the bathroom. Mercer Island PD said the boat was in motion at the time, between Seattle and Mercer Island, and may have been traveling at “planing speed.”
The boat’s operator slowed down at the east high-rise portion of the I-90 floating bridge due to restricted speed zones. It was at that time that they realized the 19-year-old wasn’t on board.
They conducted their own search for approximately five minutes before calling 911, police said.
“Mercer Island Police Marine Patrol officers responded immediately and began searching the area using forward-looking infrared (FLIR), spotlights, and thermal-imaging drones. Assisting agencies included the U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle Police Harbor Patrol, Clyde Hill Police Department’s drone unit, Bellevue Fire Department, Eastside Fire & Rescue, and land-based patrol units,” Mercer Island PD wrote.
The search area encompasses approximately 10 square miles.
Because it was so dark, the search was suspended around 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
Investigators have contacted the missing individual’s family while continuing efforts to determine whether he may have reached shore or another boat, but they haven’t heard from him.
Search operations will resume today.