Search suspended until morning for 46-year-old fisherman who fell into Puyallup River near Sumner

SUMNER, Wash. -- Rescue crews searched the Puyallup River for about four hours Monday for a 46-year-old fisherman who fell into the river in Sumner and did "not have swimming skills," but suspended the search at nightfall.

The Pierce County firefighters said they would resume the search Tuesday morning.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department, which was helping in the search, said the Tacoma man had been fishing with his family along the bank of the river when he fell in and got swept downstream by the current.

"He was not wearing a flotation device and does not have swimming skills," the sheriff's department said.



Police said the incident occurred at about 5:15 p.m. Monday in the area where the Stuck River connects with the Puyallup River in Sumner.

Multiple agencies, including a Coast Guard helicopter, were called in to search for the man.



It was a busy holiday weekend for search and rescue teams in the area.