Man drowns in fishing accident in Thorne Bay, Alaska

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Thorne Bay, Alaska   

A former resident of Juneau has died in a fishing accident. Alaska State Troopers say 28-year-old Toby Coate attempted to cross the Thorne River yesterday on Prince of Wales Island. Trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson says Coate was stretching a net for subsistence fishing, when he became tired in the cold water and lost hold of the net.

Wilkinson says Coate went under, came up once, but went under again and did not resurface. People on the shore went into the river, found him, and pulled him to shore. Emergency medical technicians who were called to the scene attempted to resuscitate him without success.

Coate is the son of Ken and Barbara Coate of Juneau. He has two sisters, Amanda and Katy, who also reside in Juneau. He was married earlier this year.

Coate and his wife Emily decided to reside in Thorne Bay. They had partnered with a local mill to start a new company called Goose Creek Log Cabins.

Coate attended the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau and at one time was the student body president. He studied marine biology.