The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office has recovered the body of a 67-year-old Bellevue man who went missing after scuba diving near Bowman Bay in Deception Pass State Park, according to a news release.
The man and his wife launched a small boat from Bowman Bay. They drove a short distance before he entered the water. After he didn’t resurface as expected, his wife reported him missing at around 6 p.m., according to Coast Guard Pacific Northwest. Local rescue teams searched for hours Sunday night looking for him, but his body was not recovered until Tuesday.
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Island County Sheriff’s Office, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, state parks staff and other rescue personnel searched the surrounding areas before calling off the search Sunday night. A Coast Guard boat crew from Bellingham and a helicopter from Port Angeles searched the area until suspending the effort at 11 p.m. on Sunday.
The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office said no foul play was suspected.
Deception Pass is known for its diving opportunities but can be a dangerous place because of strong currents. In May, boaters in the pass recovered the body of another man who was described as an experienced diver.