Man drowns in Moses Lake irrigation canal

A 44-year-old man died Sunday after being swept away in a Moses Lake irrigation canal.

According to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office social media post, Joshua Griffen, a transient, was traveling through Moses Lake with a friend when they decided to swim in an irrigation canal near the 3000 block of Road 4 Northeast.

After a current pushed Griffen underwater, Grant County Fire District 5 and American Medical Response crews recovered his body and attempted life-saving measures. However, Griffen died at the scene. Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison confirmed Tuesday the cause of death was fresh water drowning.

This is one of several drownings in Grant County irrigation canals this summer.

“Irrigation canals are extremely dangerous,” the post stated. “It’s very difficult to assess the strength of the current, which can easily overpower even the most skilled swimmer.”