Federal Way teen dies after rescue from Steel Lake

By ANDY HOBBS
Federal Way Mirror Editor
July 9, 2012 · Updated 5:22 PM 

The Mirror has learned that Prabhakar "Jay" Kumar, a 2012 graduate of Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, died Saturday morning after rescuers found him submerged in Steel Lake the night before.

The tip came from comments on the Island-Strikers FC Seattle soccer team's Facebook page. A friend of the family confirmed that Kumar, 17, was pronounced dead Saturday at Harborview Medical Center. The King County Medical Examiner reports the cause of death as anoxic encephalopathy — brain damage from lack of oxygen — due to an accidental drowning.

South King Fire and Rescue responded to a 911 call about 8:18 p.m. July 6 at Steel Lake Park, in the 2400 block of South 312th Street.

The 17-year-old male was seen struggling off shore and went under the water.

SKFR's surface water rescue team made contact with the victim in 12 feet of water within one minute of their search, according to the department.

Rescue workers brought the male to the surface and rushed him to shore, where they performed CPR and other resuscitation efforts. They regained a heart rhythm after 15 minutes, and the victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center.

Contact Federal Way Mirror Editor Andy Hobbs at editor@fedwaymirror.com or 1-253-925-5565 (ext 5050).

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