NIKOLAI, ALASKA-On Monday, September 12th, at 10 am, Alaska State Troopers were notified that a boater had drowned at Outhouse Lake at approximately 8:30pm the night before and that his body had been recovered from the lake and was at Nikolai.

Alaska State Troopers responded to the village and preliminary investigations found that Leonard Andrews Jr, age 30, of McGrath, and two friends were out on the lake in a canoe. At some point, the canoe tipped over. Andrews, who could not swim, drowned in the lake.

According to reports, none of the individuals in the canoe were wearing life preservers. Investigations also found that alcohol was a factor in the incident. No foul play is suspected.

Next of kin was notified of the incident and Andrews death. Andrew’s body was flown to Anchorage at the request of the Medical Examiner for autopsy.