Everett man dies after apparent drowning on Winchester Wasteway, near Ephrata, Washington.

EPHRATA, Wash. (24AUG2016) - Grant County Sheriff's Office reports that a man died Sunday afternoon after falling from a canoe into the Winchester Wasteway. The man has been identified as 74 year old Edward J. Williams of Everett, Wash.

Williams was with a western Washington Boy Scout troop canoeing down the wasteway about 1pm. Williams and the troop reportedly came to the low head dam just north of Road 5 NW and were deciding on how to get past the dam and waterfall. Williams reportedly decided to take another empty canoe and go over the dam. He then fell overboard as the canoe went over the falls. The canoe was sucked up against the falls and the victim reportedly tried to get the canoe away from the falls before going under and losing his personal floatation device. Boy Scouts on scene retrieved Williams from the water and started CPR. EMS transported Williams to Columbia Basin Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

While drowning is suspected, the actual cause and manner of death remains under investigation by Grant County Coroner's office pending an autopsy scheduled for today. His family has been notified.

The Boy Scout Troop was from western Washington, but it is not known how many Boy Scouts were on this trip.