Wayne Gray 2011-06-20
Rex Newlun

2 dead, 1 rescued after fishing boat capsizes off Yakutat

JUNEAU -- Alaska Wildlife Troopers say two Yakutat men drowned after their 20-foot boat capsized.

Another man in the commercial fishing party survived Monday's accident at the mouth of Dangerous River in Yakutat.

Troopers identified the victims as 29-year-old Wayne Gray and 18-year-old Rex Newlun. The survivor was 30-year-old Jonathan Pavlik, also of Yakutat.

Troopers say Pavlik was able to climb on top of the skiff and was spotted later by a passing aircraft. Local residents rescued him.

Gray and Newlun were taken to Yakutat Clinic, where troopers say they were pronounced dead. The drownings were first reported by Juneau radio station KINY.