Walla Walla man drowns while floating Wenatchee River
By Dan Thesman on Monday, August 1st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WENATCHEE – A Walla Walla man not wearing a life jacket drowned in the Wenatchee River on Saturday after his inner tube flipped, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. The man has been identified as Johhnie D. Keithley, 60.
According to the sheriff’s office, a group of about six friends and family were floating on the Wenatchee River near Dryden. As the group approached some rapids, Keithley was flipped from his inner tube and began struggling to get to shore.
The group encountered a second set of rapids and most of the party was separated by this time. One of the relatives located Keithley floating face down in the water. Keithley was dragged out of the water and onto the shore. A commercial raft was floating by and helped transport Keithley to EMS on the opposite shore where CPR was performed for about an hour. Despite efforts to revive him, Keithley was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Deputies said the group was not wearing life jackets and were not familiar with the river.
Photo of Wenatchee River at Dryden via Thane Tuason
