A Yute Aviation pilot dropping off passengers near Goodnews Bay on Friday spotted two men in the water.

A search party was launched from Platinum and the searchers were guided to the men. The men were pulled from the water and transported to the clinic in Platinum. After all resuscitation efforts were exhausted, the two men, identified as Goodnews Bay residents Sam Pavala, age 49, and Richard Ross, age 57, were pronounced deceased at the clinic.

Alaska State Troopers were informed at 7:44 pm Friday, that the two men were pulled from the water, and another person was reported missing. The missing person was identified as 28-year-old Angela Chingliak of Goodnews Bay.

Troopers dispatched to Goodnews Bay, and once there, coordinated search efforts for the missing woman as well as conducted an investigation into the men’s deaths.

During a search of the bay, the boat the people were in was discovered submerged in about ten feet of water. The cause of the sinking is unknown. The search is continuing for Chingliak by air and by surface vessel.

The bodies of Ross and Pavala were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy.

The community of Goodnews Bay is located on the north shore of the bay with the same name. The village of 246 people is at the mouth of the Goodnews River. The community is 116 air miles south of Bethel and 110 miles northwest of Dillingham.