Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

On 07/05/2024 at approximately 1231 hours, DPS Patrol Vessel Stimson received a MAYDAY call from a commercial salmon fisherman in Kvichak Bay stating he lost a crewman over the side of his vessel. AWT responded to the area with two patrol skiffs and arrived just as the reporting vessel had located and retrieved their unconscious crewmember out of the water. AWT performed lifesaving measures for approximately one hour prior to pronouncing the crewman deceased. Investigation revealed crewman Corwin Wheeler, age 21 of Wisconsin, had become entangled in fishing gear and was pulled overboard and underwater. Next of kin has been notified.