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Korean exchange student presumed drowned in Wash. river

July 14, 2014

A missing 15-year-old Korean exchange student in Stevens County, Wash., was presumed dead Thursday as a result of a drowning in the Columbia River.

The boy, whose identification has been withheld, was swimming about 20 feet from the dock of the river with another teen. The other teen swam back and called for help when the boy began to struggle in the water, KHQ-TV reported.

The boy, who was staying with a Northport host family, has not yet been found, despite police and divers’ attempts. The sheriff said the boy may have floated downstream, as the area in which he was seen last is known to have strong currents.

“We’ve sent word of the accident to his parents in Korea, and they are planning on coming to Seattle,” said Choi Cheol-ho, deputy consul of the Seattle Consulate General.