Seattle Police Department Harbor Patrol officers saved a man from drowning in Portage Bay Friday evening.
At 7:45 p.m., officers responded to multiple 911 calls of a man in behavioral crisis swimming off the shore of Fritz Hedges Waterway Park. Harbor patrol officers arrived within minutes and located the man at the water line.
Officers attempted to establish communication with the male before land units arrived. However, the man re-entered the water and began to drown. Officers maneuvered the boat towards the male and threw him a flotation device.
The male was unable to grab the device and quickly sank beneath the surface. An officer shed his gear and dove into the water. After multiple free dives in thick marine vegetation, the officer found the victim at the bottom of the water. The officer pulled the victim to the shore, but the man was not breathing. Officers began CPR and thanks to their efforts, the male regained consciousness.
Seattle Fire Department personnel arrived, and the victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.