PORT ANGELES — Bruce Gunderson, the Silverdale man found dead at Olympic Hot Springs on Oct. 26, died of an accidental drowning, said Mark Nichols, Clallam County prosecuting attorney and coroner.
An autopsy performed Oct. 30 revealed that the manner of death was an accident and the cause of death was freshwater drowning, Nichols said.
Olympic National Park officials had suspected that the 61-year-old died of natural causes.
Gunderson’s body was found by his traveling companions in one of the pools at the hot springs in the Elwha Valley. The group had been camping in the park near the springs.
The hot springs pools were closed for health and safety concerns.
They will remain closed pending the results of water testing, park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said Wednesday.
“We should have the results within a week and will announce the pools status as soon as we get the results,” Maynes said.
The nearby Boulder Creek Campground remains open.
Olympic Hot Springs are natural, non-maintained hot-water seeps in a wilderness area.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
