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King County man found at light rail station died of exposure, medical examiner says

caption: A pedestrian crosses Madison Street as snow falls on Monday, February 4, 2019, in Seattle.
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A pedestrian crosses Madison Street as snow falls on Monday, February 4, 2019, in Seattle.
KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer

King County is reporting the first exposure death as a result of the cold temperatures.

The 59-year-old man was found early Thursday at the SoDo light rail station in Seattle according to Seattle Police. The medical examiner said Derek C. Johnson died of hypothermia due to exposure.

Neither Pierce nor Snohomish Counties are reporting similar deaths, making this the first reported exposure death since the temperatures dropped across the region.

Homeless shelters are adding beds and Seattle has opened temporary weather shelters across the city.

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