Iowa man drowns in Lake Clark National Park while trying to rescue son

An Iowa man drowned Saturday when he tried to rescue his son, who was caught in the current in the Tanalian River in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, authorities said.

Matthew Burns, 47, was swept downriver and died, the National Park Service said. He and his son had been wading or swimming in shallow water below Tanalian Falls in the southwest portion of the park when the son was pulled into deeper water by the current, said Austin McDaniel, a spokesman for the Alaska State Troopers.

Burns went into the faster moving water to try to rescue his son, McDaniel said. The son was able to get out of the water by himself, but Burns was swept away, he said.

Volunteers from Port Alsworth saw Burns at the mouth of the river and were able to pull him from the water before rangers arrived, according to the Park Service. Members of the Port Alsworth Volunteer Fire Department, medical personnel from the Southcentral Foundation Lake Clark Wellness Center and other community members tried to resuscitate Burns, but he did not survive, the Park Service said.

Park rangers and Alaska State Troopers are investigating the incident and said no foul play is suspected. Burns’ body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office on Saturday.

Tanalian Falls is accessed by one of only two developed trails within the remote 4 million-acre national park in Southwest Alaska. A 4-mile roundtrip hike from Port Alsworth reaches the falls.