Three men fishing on the Copper River downstream from Chitina in a 20-foot aluminum boat ran into trouble when their outboard broke down and their boat went out of control and they were washed downstream on Tuesday evening at shortly after 5pm.

47-year-old of Kenny Lake resident William Poplin called 911 at 5:17 pm to report their dilemma. He reported that himself as well as 72-year-old Rod Wright and 36-year-old Sam Wright, both of Kenny Lake were in the watercraft as it washed downstream.

Poplin reported that after the engine breakdown, the three attempted to navigate the boat with an oar before the oar broke. Cell phone signal failed at that time and cell phone contact was lost.

The Alaska State Troopers contacted Hem Charters in Chitina and asked them to respond to the situation. Hem Charters located the distressed three and their boat about seven miles downstream from O’Brien Creek where the vessel beached.

The three men reported they were cold and wet but refused EMS treatment. They were transported back to O’Brien Creek.

The boat owner, Rod Wright, reported that he would make his own arraingments to retrieve his disabled boat from the river.