Two people died after a commercially-operated raft flipped Tuesday afternoon on the North Fork of the Nooksack River near Glacier. Their names have not yet been released.
Four customers were on board the raft, along with the guide, who pulled the two female rafters out of the water. The two male rafters were swept downstream, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office release.
Multiple agencies were called to assist with a search and rescue around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Later that evening, local kayakers affiliated with Glacier Fire located the body of one of the men, who drowned near a log jam about a half-mile downstream from where the raft flipped, the release stated.
The search resumed Wednesday morning, and Customs and Border Protection located the body of the second man downriver of the Highway 542 bridge around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The cause of death for the second victim has yet to be determined but is also believed to be drowning.
Both subjects were wearing wetsuits, helmets and lifejackets, the release stated.
Sheriff’s deputies, Summit to Sound Swift Water Rescue technicians, K-9, drone operators, and Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue assisted with search and rescue efforts.
This story will continue to be updated if more information becomes available.
