Swimmer Revived After Drowning Near Mercer Island Park

MERCER ISLAND, WA — A 37-year-old man drowned while swimming near Groveland Beach Park in Mercer Island, but was revived by medics on his way to the hospital, according to Mercer Island police.

The man was swimming near the park around 2 p.m. Sunday when he was seen struggling in the water. Bystanders pulled him out and began to perform CPR, police said.

Mercer Island and Bellevue medics responded and took over. The man was revived in an ambulance, but was in critical condition at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, police said.

There are no lifeguards at Groveland Park due to Mercer Island's ongoing budget crisis. Lifeguards were cut, among other programs and services, last winter after the failure of Proposition 1. The city's other beach at Luther Burbank Park also does not have lifeguards on duty.