Seattle woman drowns in Olympic Park

She was swept away by currents as she tried to cross a river

N.S. NOKKENTVED, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published August 25, 2001

PORT ANGELES -- A Seattle woman died this week when she was swept downstream while trying to cross a river in Olympic National Park.

Amy Work, 24, died Wednesday after she lost her footing and was swept downstream while trying to ford the East Fork of the Quinault River, about a half-mile downstream from Enchanted Valley, the park service reported.

Work and two female companions had hiked into Enchanted Valley on Monday, successfully negotiating the same ford. But during those two days, nearly 6 inches of rain fell and the river rose to nearly four times its normal level for late August.

The three experienced hikers were trying to cross on their way out when Work lost her footing. Her fellow hikers said she was struggling to remove her backpack as she was swept downstream by the strong current.

The two women and others crossed the river successfully at the ford, Chief Ranger Curt Sauer said.

The ford is upstream of a former suspension bridge that washed out in the winter of 1998-99. The bridge is slated for replacement next year.

Work's body was recovered Thursday. Her companions were flown out by helicopter earlier that day.

Park officials estimate that rivers will remain above average August levels for several days at least. Park visitors are urged to contact the Wilderness Information Center or any ranger station for current trail and river conditions.

N.S. Nokkentved covers the outdoors for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5445. The Associated Press contributed to this article.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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