Dad drowns saving 21-year-old son from river below waterfall, Alaska officials say
An Iowa man died while trying to save his son from a river at Lake Clark National Park, Alaska officials reported.
The two were wading below the Tanalian Waterfall on Saturday, Aug. 19, when currents swept a 21-year-old man downriver, Alaska State Troopers said in a dispatch.
A 47-year-old man tried to save the younger man, but could not escape the current and drowned, troopers said.
The younger man was able to make his way to shore, Lake Clark National Park rangers said in an Aug. 23 news release.
Volunteers later found his father, Matthew Burns, of Keokuk, Iowa, in the river but he could not be revived, rangers said.
An investigation into the death continues but no foul play is suspected, rangers said.
Lake Clark National Park is about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage.
What to know about drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
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