15-year-old boy survives days at sea after boat capsizes off Alaska, killing 2 others

A 15-year-old boy survived days at sea after a fishing boat capsized off Alaska, killing his older brother and cousin. The teen was rescued Monday after he was found clinging to the overturned vessel about four miles east of St. Lawrence Island, the United States Coast Guard said in a news release. Two other people were found unresponsive in the water. NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage identified them as the teen’s older brother and cousin. Video obtained by KTUU showed the moment the teen was rescued. The boy, appearing to wear a black hoodie underneath a coat with green pants and black boots, is seen kneeling on the vessel. The brother died after getting stuck under the boat, the 15-year-old’s mother told the news station. The cousin survived for a day but died, the woman said. The group was on an 18-foot fishing vessel near the island when it capsized. The Coast Guard said it was notified Sunday night of the overdue vessel. The boat had last been seen Friday departing Savoonga. Due to the weather and poor visibility Sunday night, an aircrew launched Monday morning to begin the search. The teen was located around 3 p.m. Monday. “Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Arctic District command center coordinated the rescue of the survivor with the Northwest Explorer, a nearby good Samaritan vessel,” the Coast Guard said. “Before departing the scene to refuel, the HC-130 aircrew deployed a line of flares to guide the Northwest Explorer to the overturned vessel.” Adam White, captain of the vessel that found the teenager, told NBC News that his crew were returning back from a NOAA survey when they received a message from the Coast Guard. After receiving coordinates for a survivor, White altered their course to look for the boy and prepared supplies to keep him warm. The seven scientists and six crew members on board all kept their eyes on the water to see if they could find him. “When he finally came into view, it was elation from everybody,” White said. “Everybody cheered.” The teenager was unable to get to the rafts near him, stuck on the top of the overturned boat about 8 miles from his last known position, White said. The crew blasted their horn “to give him some hope” that help was on its way. “We were lucky enough because the kid was so tough, so strong that that he was able to grab a hold of a heaving line that we threw to him,” White said. “And he was able to hold on while we sort of reeled him in. And I just, like, can’t believe how tough this kid is.” White says the boy was “moderately” hypothermic once they were able to get him on board. They were able to raise his body temperature until they could get him medical attention. The captain was able to meet the boy’s family, which White described as overwhelming. “We gave each other a really long hug, and they just, they had a lot of joy,” White said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of pain in their eyes — there’s a lot of sorrow. It’s just so much, so much mixed emotions.” Rear Adm. Bob Little, the commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District command center, said their hearts go out to the families and friends, and communities affected by the tragedy. “We are grateful for the incredible efforts of the motor vessel Northwest Explorer, Federal, State, Village first responders and mission partners who assisted in the effort that resulted in a life saved,” Little said.