ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska State Troopers say that only one of the five clam diggers who died after their skiff ran into trouble was wearing a life jacket.
The Troopers also said Friday that the diggers’ 22-foot aluminum skiff was overloaded and became swamped with water due to wind, tide and rough seas.
The five clam diggers were found dead in Cook Inlet. Initial reports indicated three of the men were wearing life jackets but further investigation found that only was.
The men who died are 42-year-old Roberto Ramirez of a yet to be identified residence; 34-year-old Jose A. Sandoval of Bakersville, Calif.; 36-year-old Avelino Garcia of Oregon; 24-year-old Jose Revera of Los Angeles; and 31-year-old Ramon Valdiva of Oregon.
