Chris Cooper, 12-31-02, Drown
Ronald Ramey, Drown

One man involved in canoe mishap found dead; another still missing

ALEKNAGIK -The body of a man who died in a canoeing accident New Year's Eve on Lake Aleknagik has been recovered, Alaska State Troopers said Thursday.

Chris Cooper's body was found around noon on New Year's Eve, about 12 hours after he and two other Aleknagik men capsized in a canoe while attempting to row across the lake in western Alaska.

Cooper's body was found about 100 feet up on the shore, where the 31-year-old apparently succumbed to hypothermia, troopers said. The search is still under way for the body of 43-year-old Ronald Ramey.

The third man, Jim Caston, 37, was able to get to shore. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.

None of the men wore life vests. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

-- The Associated Press