Hunter drowns in Yukon River; 3 ejected when boat hits log

PILOT STATION — The body of a Pitka’s Point moose hunter has been recovered from the Yukon River near Pilot Station.

Alaska State Troopers say Thaddeus Riley, 25, drowned Monday.

Riley and two other Pitka’s Point men, Derek Sipary, 20, and Noel Tinker, 25, were on a hunting trip when their boat hit a submerged log.

All three were ejected from the boat. Sipary and Tinker swam to shore.

Riley started swimming toward his boat but went under in the current and did not surface, Troopers said.

Searchers found Sipary and Tinker and transported them to Pitka’s Point.

Searchers transported Riley’s body to Pilot Station and then by aircraft to Pitka’s Point.

Troopers say the men were not wearing life jackets.

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