Three residents of an Alaska Native village are missing and presumed dead in what is said to be the worst Native whaling-related incident in recent history. A fourth person has already died.

A boat carrying a crew from the St. Lawrence Island village of Gambell capsized early Wednesday morning while it was towing a whale back to the village. Missing and feared dead are Jason Nowpakahok, 38, the captain and the mayor of Gambrell, and his 11-year-old daughter, Yolanda Nowpakahok, and his 11-year-old nephew, Leonard Nowpakahok.

Rescuers managed to find Davis Uglowook, 37, Darin Slwooko, 25, and James Uglowook, 20, after the boat capsized. But James later died at the village health clinic.

According to The Anchorage Daily News, the members of the whaling crew weren't wearing flotation devices. Most crews don't them because they can hinder whaling and accidents are rare, whalers said.

Get the Story:
Four missing or dead after whaling boat capsizes (The Anchorage Daily News 4/29)
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Whaling safety debated (The Anchorage Daily News 4/29)