Rural Alaska

Troopers end search for commercial fisherman near Emmonak

A search has ended for a commercial fisherman missing in Southwest Alaska.

Alaska State Troopers say 23-year-old Dennis Westlock of Emmonak is presumed drowned.

Westlock and 27-year-old Brandon Johnson-Edwards on Aug. 13 departed Emmonak and their boat struck a submerged log.

The men were thrown from the boat. Neither was wearing a life jacket.

Another boater pulled Johnson-Edwards from the water but could not locate Westlock.

Search efforts also failed to find Westlock.

Emmonak is at the mouth of the Yukon River about 10 miles from the Bering Sea, 120 miles northwest of Bethel.

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