A 15-year-old boy drowned off the coast of Long Beach Peninsula on Friday afternoon, May 23, 2025, marking a tragic start to Memorial Day weekend. According to the Chinook Observer, the teen was caught in the surf near the Bolstad beach approach, a popular public access point in the heart of Long Beach, Washington.
Emergency responders were dispatched around 8:00 p.m., and a full-scale search and rescue operation was initiated. Despite rapid efforts by law enforcement, emergency personnel, and bystanders, the teen was ultimately recovered from the water and pronounced deceased. Authorities did not release the boy’s name at the time of publication.
The Long Beach Peninsula is a beloved coastal destination, but its waters are notoriously unpredictable. Sudden drop-offs, shifting sandbars, and strong rip currents can create deadly conditions—even for experienced swimmers. Unlike some other beaches, Long Beach does not have stationed lifeguards, leaving swimmers largely dependent on personal caution and local signage.
This tragedy underscores the continued risk of ocean swimming during late spring and summer months, when rising temperatures bring more families to the shoreline.
Although this incident is currently considered an accident, it raises questions about whether existing safety infrastructure at Long Beach is sufficient to warn and protect the public. Beaches such as the Bolstad approach may benefit from more visible hazard signage, updated public education efforts about rip currents, and even periodic lifeguard coverage during holiday weekends.
In similar cases nationwide, families have pursued legal action when inadequate safety measures—such as the absence of warnings or poor beach management—contributed to drowning deaths. These cases often fall under premises liability law, which holds public entities or private landowners accountable when reasonable precautions are not taken to prevent foreseeable harm.
Attorney Michael Haggard, Esq., managing partner at Aquatic Attorneys, has represented numerous families in Washington water-related injury and death cases and speaks to the pain that comes from preventable tragedies.
“When a young life is lost, especially in a setting meant for joy and recreation, families deserve answers,” said Haggard. “We urge public beach authorities to evaluate their safety practices—and we stand ready to support families in their pursuit of justice when negligence is involved.”
While no legal outcome can undo the loss of a child, pursuing a wrongful death claim may provide families with both accountability and financial support for funeral costs, counseling, and emotional loss. Investigating whether adequate beach safety measures were in place is a critical first step.
At Aquatic Attorneys, we are committed to helping families navigate the legal process after drowning tragedies. We offer compassionate, experienced guidance and will work to determine whether negligence or unsafe conditions contributed to the loss.
Contact us at aquaticattorney.com for a free, confidential consultation. Let us help you understand your rights and take the first step toward justice and healing.
Source:
https://chinookobserver.com/2025/05/25/drowning-marks-sad-start-to-memorial-day-weekend/
