SEQUIM — An Olympia kayaker who survived a paddle trip off Dungeness Spit that turned deadly April 11 is at home recovering.
William D. Kelley, 50, of Lacey has been discharged from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a hospital spokeswoman said late Monday.
Kelley was one of seven members of an outdoor adventure club from Mountain View Church of the Nazarene in Tumwater who planned the kayak excursion that included lunch at the Dungeness Lighthouse.
Although the morning was calm, conditions changed rapidly in the afternoon.
Kayakers were in the open water with winds in excess of 30 mph and wind-waves 3 or 4 feet high.
Four kayakers were able to reach shore, but the conditions overwhelmed three others — Mandi L. Walkley, 39, of Chehalis; Jacob M. Austin, 52, of Lacey; and Kelley.
Their kayaks overturned, dumping them into the cold, rough water.
A witness at Dungeness Lighthouse spotted the kayakers in trouble and called 9-1-1 for help.
The Coast Guard and Navy launched a response boat crew and two helicopters, located the three kayakers and transported them to Olympic Medical Center for treatment, where Austin died of hypothermia.
Walkley was flown to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, where he was pronounced dead of hypothermia.
Kelley was transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was initially admitted in critical condition and treated for hypothermia.
All three were wearing life vests but were not dressed in wet or dry suits that would have protected them against the cold water, according to the Coast Guard.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
