Tobin Coate, 06-20-08
Man drowns in Thorne River attempting to set up fishing net
Published: June 22, 2006
THORNE BAY -- A 28-year-old Thorne Bay man drowned Tuesday while trying to cross
a river to set up a subsistence fishing net, Alaska State Troopers said.
Tobin Coate was attempting to swim across Thorne River near Falls Creek about 6
p.m. Witnesses said he went under the water, briefly resurfaced, then went back
under, troopers said. Witnesses swam to him and attempted to resuscitate him but
without success.
Thorne Bay, population about 500, is 50 miles northwest of Ketchikan on the east
coast of Prince of Wales Island.
-- Anchorage Daily News