Authorities searching for Winlock drowning victim

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office has reported a 51-year-old Winlock man likely drowned at Mayfield Lake yesterday as efforts continue to locate his remains.

Detailed in a news release issued this morning, the drowning took place in the area of the Kinswa State Park boat launch as the victim and his friend, who later contacted authorities, had been jumping off a 30-foot cliff into the water, according to the reporting party.

The friend said, after jumping into the water himself, he heard the victim make contact with the water but did not see him surface. It was noted the water in that area is more than 100 feet deep and around 62 degrees. The reporting party also said the pair had been consuming alcohol that day.

After spending around an hour searching the banks for his friend, the reporting part returned home and contacted authorities, who responded with the Lewis County Sheriff's Office Swift Water Rescue Team, Lewis County Fire District 3 and Lewis County Fire District 8 to search for the victim.

After searching until dark, they failed to locate him and are back on the scene today continuing their search. If a body is found, it is expected the victim will be later identified by the Lewis County Coroner's Office.