Names have been released for the two boaters who drowned Friday afternoon in an Interior lake, according to Alaska State Troopers.
AST spokesperson Tim DeSpain says dispatchers received an initial report of the incident, at Lake Louise, at 12:13 p.m. Two brothers, Steven Kirkpatrick, age 59, and Jeffrey Kirkpatrick, age 56, from Cleveland Tennessee were aboard a rented 14-foot boat when they tried to restart its engine while it was in gear and rocked the vessel.
Steven Kirkpatrick fell into the water and the boat started to run in circles, his brother jumped overboard trying to save Kirpatrick. Neither man was wearing a life jacket, although they were provided with the boat and still aboard after the incident.
Another boat brought Stephen Kirkpatrick ashore and they attempted CPR to resucitate him but to no avail. Jeffrey Kirkpatrick had already been submerged for about 45 minutes. Both were declared dead at the scene. Their family has been notified.
Lake Louise fire and emergency medical services personnel responded to the incident, as did the owner of the Lake Louise Lodge.
