By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Two kaykers died – including 39-year-old Mandi Walkley of Chehalis and a 52-year-old Lacey man – after they and a third individual were rescued by Coast Guard crews from rough waters near Dungeness Bay yesterday, according to The Seattle Times.
The Seattle Times writes they were part of a church-affiliated group of seven who encountered three foot seas in 35 mph winds yesterday afternoon.
Walkley was hoisted from the water by a Navy helicopter crew and all three were life-flighted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the Peninsula Daily News.
However, a nursing supervisor this morning at Harborview said the hospital received only a 50-year-old man from the incident, and he is in critical condition.
A supervisor at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham this morning confirmed Walkley was brought to them and is listed as deceased.
Read more about it here
I have been hiking with Mandi many times in that group. The group is a wonder group of folks. I have known them to not take unnecessary risks. below is a quote from a member of the group that was there yesterday.
“An update on what happened (Saturday April 11). Our hiking group was both hiking and kayaking at Dungeness Spit. The weather was calm with a light wind and low waves. (I say this because some people think they were being careless and went out in dangerous conditions.) The trip to the lighthouse is 5 1/2 miles. All went well. On the return trip, a very sudden wind storm picked up. 35 mph, 3 ft. waves. The kayaks capsized. All were wearing life jackets. Three people had to be rescued. Two died last night in the hospital in spite of valiant efforts by their rescuers. (Jacob – age 52 and Mandi – age 39) Bill is in critical condition but is showing steady improvement including responding to his wife, wiggling his toes, and sensing pain. He has a lung infection and very high fever due to the ocean water in his lungs. Please pray for Bill’s recovery, the families of Jacob and Mandi and the Mt. View Hiking Group Members (over 100 people) – all who have been affected by this.”
Wow….Mandi, whom I didn’t know at all, was my checker at Home Depot on Friday. All she could do was talk about her upcoming kayaking trip to Sequim and how she was upset she couldn’t bring her dog. I had never met her before, but you could tell her excitement for this trip.