Michael Gary Bennett Jr., 08-20-08

Man drowns when snowmachine sinks

The Associated Press, Published: August 23rd, 2008

NUIQSUT -- A 25-year-old man has drowned in Nuiqsut.

North Slope Borough police say Michael Gary Bennett Jr. had been skipping his snowmobile across open water in the Colville River on Wednesday evening when the machine sank.

Police say Bennett drowned near the village boat ramp.

His body was recovered late Wednesday night.

Police say Bennett was not wearing a life jacket or a helmet.