Child dies in the water at Whatcom Falls Park Friday afternoon
A child died Friday afternoon after he was reported missing at Whatcom Falls Park, according to Bellingham Police Deputy Chief Don Almer.
Bellingham police received a 911 call around 2:35 p.m. regarding a missing child in the water at Whatcom Falls Park, Almer told The Bellingham Herald Friday.
The child, whose name and age have not been released, was splashing and playing in the water, he said. It’s unclear if he was swept away by a current or what may have happened, but Almer said the boy was not jumping off of anything.
Emergency personnel found the child in the water near the Bellingham Hatchery on Silver Beach Road near where there’s a small waterfall and pool, Almer said.
The child was rushed to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s hospital, Almer said.
Hospital staff attempted to resuscitate the boy, who is under 16 years old, but he was declared dead, Almer said.
Almer said it’s “a tragedy. I can’t even conceive what they’re going through. Our condolences go out in this unimaginable time of grief and loss for them. It’s a tragic accident.”
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 5:32 PM.
