Petersburg man dies when skiff overturns in Duncan Canal

PETERSBURG, Alaska (AP) – A Petersburg man died after his skiff flipped in ocean waters west of the city.

Alaska State Troopers say 50-year-old Doug Larson died after spending up to two hours in Duncan Canal.

Larson and 40-year-old Charles King, also of Petersburg, on Friday attempted to help another boat that was stuck about 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) west of Petersburg.

Their 12-foot (3.7-meter) skiff flipped and put both men into the water for one to two hours.

The Coast Guard says rain was falling and steady wind of 11 mph (17.7 kph) was blowing with gusts to 45 mph (72.42 kph).

The men clung to the skiff. When a Coast Guard helicopter crew arrived, King was still conscious. Larson died in the cold water.

Neither man wore a life jacket.