Two Federal Way teens killed hiking near North Bend


September 17, 2012 · Updated 4:35 PM 

Two Federal Way teenagers were killed Sunday night after falling during a hike near Otter Falls outside of North Bend, according to the King County Sheriff's Office.

The teens have been identified as Andrew Lusink, 16, and Ben Skagen, 18. Both boys attended Christian Faith School, with Skagen recently graduating. The school honored the students with a prayer assembly Monday morning.

The incident happened sometime Sunday evening.  The group of four teenaged boys was hiking the area and two of the four climbed a rock near the falls.  The two boys fell from the rock and were seriously injured, according to Sgt. Cindi West, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office.

The two other teens tried to help the injured boys.  One ran down the trail for help.  He found two other hikers on the trail that went up the trail to assist the injured boys.  The teen continued five miles down the trail until he was able to find a Forest Service employee who called 911, according to West.

The King County Sheriff’s Office received the call around 7:30 p.m.and sent Search and Rescue Unit members to the area. Snohomish County also responded with a helicopter.

When the search and rescue teams arrived, the boys had already died as a result of their injuries. The boys were 16 and 18 years of age.

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