Body recovered in Finger Lake boating accident

Divers Tuesday evening recovered the body of a 67-year-old Wasilla man who drowned in Finger Lake after a canoe he was in overturned Monday.

According to an Alaska State Trooper online dispatch, Edgar Curtis’ body was found around 5:50 p.m. Divers from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Mat-Su Search and Rescue and Mat-Su Borough EMS participated in the search.

According to troopers, Edgar Curtis was in a canoe with 30-year-old Gary Curtis, also of Wasilla, when the wake of a passing boat caused the canoe to capsize Monday. Ken Barkley, Mat-Su deputy chief for emergency services said the intial call came in at 5 p.m. Scanner traffic indicated the 911 caller had heard someone screaming for help out on the lake.

Troopers reported both men were wearing auto-floatation life vests which did not self-inflate. Bystanders heard cries from the men and were able to pull the younger Curtis to safety. Troopers said Edgar Curtis went below the water’s surface before a boater arrived to assist. Gary Curtis was transported to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and reportedly was released Monday night.

The trooper dispatch said an autopsy was planned by the State Medical Examiner.