South King Fire & Rescue Media Release
For Immediate Release – March 9, 2013

SCUBA Diving Accident at the Redondo Pier in Des Moines

Federal Way/Des Moines - At approximately 1842, (6:42 p.m.) South King Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to a 911 call reporting a diver down at the Redondo Pier in Des Moines. Initial reports were that a diver had run out of air. SKFR has not confirmed these details or the cause if the accident.
It appears the diver's partner tried to help while both were under water and then surfaced calling out to bystanders for help. SKFR arrived on the scene at 1847 (6:47 p.m.) and immediately used witnesses and police personnel to triangulate the last known location of the diver. SKFR personnel began rescue efforts using their trained surface water rescue swimmers. The diver's partner also re-entered the water and was able to locate the diver bringing her to the surface where an SKFR rescue swimmer was able to bring the diver to shore. Resuscitation efforts began immediately by fire department EMTs and King County Paramedics. Unfortunately, efforts to revive the diver were unsuccessful and the diver was pronounced dead at the scene. The King County Sheriff’s Office will be investigating.
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Public Information Officer, Assistant Chief Gordie Olson, told the Highline Times that, in addition to the Des Moines department, Renton and Auburn had also been dispatched. He said the King County Sheriff's department would be the agency to release more details.

To learn more about the fire department, visit them at www.southkingfire.org or on the district's Facebook page.