Doctors at Forks Community Hospital were unable to revive a 21-year old Olympia man who was airlifted Wednesday from the eastern shore of Lake Ozette after his canoe capsized in the water.
Alex Joseph Dixon was pronounced dead at the Forks Community Hospital early Thursday morning.
The Forks Police Department is investigating the cause of death, said Police Chief Mike Powell on Thursday.
“There are no obvious sign of trauma,” Powell said.
Dixon was one of four canoeists planning to camp on Lake Ozette within the Olympic National Park.
The camping party was in two canoes.
Dixon’s canoe capsized, sending him and another man into the lake.
The two campers in the other canoe rescued their friends and took them to shore, where they called 9-1-1 at about 7:30 p.m.
The camping party also yelled for help and got the attention of residents near Eagle Point, said Cat Hoffman, park spokesperson.
A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was training near Neah Bay and was diverted to the scene.
Dixon and the other man were in the 46-degree water for 15 minutes, and suffered from hypothermia, Hoffman said.
Dixon was unconscious, while the other man was cold but aware.
The Coast Guard crew took Dixon to the Forks Airport where a waiting ambulance took him to the hospital.
Coast Guard crew members administered cardio-pulminary resuscitation on Dixon during the flight.
