On 7-27-13 at approximately 1002 hours AST received a report of a sunken boat and four subjects in the water on the Klutina River upstream from the Richardson Hwy in Copper Center.  Investigation determined that three soldiers from Ft Wainwright and one of the soldier's son were on a jet boat fishing approximately eight miles upstream from the Klutina River boat launch.  The 
boat operator, age 39 of Ft Wainwright experienced mechanical problems and was unable to maneuver the vessel.  The fast river current pushed the vessel into a submerged rock and flipped the boat. operator and his son, age 11 were able to cling to the boat for a short time before they were separated by the current.  A fishing guide operating raft saw son in the water and was able to rescue him.  Operator was able to reach shore safely and was later transported to the boat launch by another local fishing guide.  When the boat flipped occupant1 was washed downstream but was able to swim to shore and was picked up by the same fishing guide service.  Occupant2 continued downstream an unknown distance before he was pickup by a private jet boat.  

Occupant2 was not breathing when he was located and they began CPR.  Occupant2 was transported to the Klutina River boat launch where Copper River EMS was staged.  EMS transported Occupant2 to Cross Road Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.  The SME has been notified and has requested an autopsy. The next of kin was notified by Military personnel.  The boat is owned by Ft Wainwright Outdoor Recreation and efforts to recover and remove the boat are being arranged.  All parties are accounted for.  All rescue personnel and 
equipment are also accounted for.  All four occupant of the boat were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident and alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in this case.
Copper Center