A 15-year-old boy has been rescued after spending days stranded in the Bering Sea off Alaska, but his older brother and cousin tragically died in the incident.
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Derek Parker Aghnaanga was found sitting on top of an overturned boat after the three had departed from St. Lawrence Island on Friday, September 4.
They were expected to return on Sunday afternoon, but never made it back.
Alaska Teen Rescued From Overturned Boat
When the fishing vessel failed to return, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a search operation.
On Monday morning, a Coast Guard aircrew spotted Aghnaanga sitting on top of the overturned boat. A good Samaritan aboard another vessel then pulled the teenager to safety.
"Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and communities affected by the tragic loss of these two mariners," said Rear Adm. Bob Little, the commander of the Coast Guard's Arctic District.
Authorities also recovered the bodies of Aghnaanga's two relatives. Officials said the teenager showed signs of hypothermia when rescuers found him.
Aghnaanga's family has since shared more details about the harrowing ordeal. His mother, Vina Kulowiyi, said on social media that her son survived without food or water for two days after the boat capsized on Saturday.
Mother Praises 15-Year-Old Son as "My Survivor"
Kulowiyi said Aghnaanga and his older brother had gone fishing to provide food for members of their community.
The family comes from Savoonga, a village of around 800 people where residents often struggle to access meat at their local store.
"My boys were born and raised to be providers. A tradition that is passed on," Kulowiyi wrote on Facebook. "We hunt and provide for families and share the community."
She said her surviving son is now recovering at home following the tragic ordeal.
Kulowiyi described him as "my survivor" and said that "his story is amazing. He was never afraid the whole time."
She added that he sat "praying the whole time" while stranded at sea.
The captain of the vessel that rescued Aghnaanga described him as "one tough kid."
"Through the teeth chattering, he had mentioned that his brother was still under the skiff," Captain Adam White said. "And then he said that, in the previous night, before our rescue, that his cousin had slipped away."
