Two young children drowned near Kipnuk this weekend when their family's boat flipped on a berry-picking trip, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers say 2-year-old Martitia Panruk and her uncle, 6-year-old Nolan Slim, died after they fell into the Kipnuk River about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
The children had been on a berry-picking outing with family members at the time of the accident, troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. Eight people were in the 18-foot Lund skiff when it hit the bank and flipped, dumping everyone into the river, which was less than 20 feet wide at the spot, she said.
Everyone but the two children got out unharmed. Kipnuk search-and-rescue volunteer teams pulled the children's bodies from the water.
There were no life jackets in the boat, Peters said.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Troopers say alcohol did not appear to be involved.
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By JAMES HALPIN
jhalpin@adn.com