Update: This story was updated to correct the hospital the child was taken in light of new information from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The Seattle Children’s Hospital was not involved in the response. Last updated 7/15/26 10:45 a.m.
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A 6-year-old has died after being hit in the head by driftwood at Little Squalicum Beach Park.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater said deputies responded to the incident around 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.
The child wasn’t breathing when they found them and appeared to have suffered a head injury after being struck by a log.
The Bellingham Police Department and Fire Department also both responded and administered CPR to the child. The child was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and was placed in pediatric intensive care before passing away from his injuries on Sunday, July 12.
Slater said no evidence of foul play was found.
According to a GoFundMe for the child, he was playing in a driftwood fort someone had made and was crushed by one of the logs. He suffered multiple fractures to his skull, a broken nose and a collapsed lung.
