Wasilla man dies in Yentna River boating accident

WASILLA -- A 22-year-old Wasilla man died Friday evening after a low-hanging branch struck his throat while he was boating on the Yentna River, according to Alaska State Troopers.

The branch hit Christopher Stringer while he was leaning over the railing of his 18-foot heavy welded riverboat, as it headed upriver.

Stringer had reportedly just picked up a couple of boyhood friends and the three of them were heading upriver to work on a cabin Stringer was building.

According to Trooper Skip Chadwell, Stringer had worked all day before he picked up his friends and, on the way back up the river, Stringer asked one of the friends to take the steering wheel so he could go to the back of the boat for some fresh air.

His friends reportedly didn't know if Stringer was sick or just needing a rest.

Chadwell said Stringer's friend was driving the boat close to the bank to avoid strong currents in the middle of the river. As they came around a corner, they saw a low-hanging tree and tried to avoid the branches.

Chadwell said they avoided the main tree but a branch hit Stringer's throat. Chadwell said Stringer most likely died instantly.

Stringer's friends dialed 911 while still on the river. Emergency services workers pronounced Stringer dead at about 10:35 p.m. after they reached Deshka Landing and Stringer's body was transported by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary. The state medical examiner's office was notified, and released Stringer's body to his family.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.