Spanaway Lake Park was crowded this weekend. It was difficult to find a space to park near the lake. Swimmers, fishermen, paddle boat renters, picnickers and kids building sand castles were out in force.

At the office of the Pierce Prairie post, the thermometer said it was eighty degrees. One four days ago, there was frost on the window in the morning. The lake was quite cold, yet people swam, skied and gleefully were towed on inner tubes behind boats.

Unfortunately, there was a mishap at the lake today. One group tubing got thrown and according to witnesses, a 55 year old local man’s life vest came off in the process. He was lost under the water around 4 p.m.

At about 6:30 p.m., we arrived to a scene of grieving family members meeting with the Sheriff Department Chaplain. There was a diving boat across the lake near the houses on Creso Road. Several Sheriff cars and trailers were blocking the road to the boathouse. They taped off an area near the family members and people gathered to watch talk and share their concern. A second boat was readied, personnel with sonar devices and another suited diver boarded.

As of the time of this story, there has been no success finding the missing man. Over many years, there has been much fun and many tragedies at Spanaway Lake.

We at the Post want to extend our prayers and sympathy to the family and friends and hope they will find closure soon.

Below are several photos of the evening’s events around the boathouse.