A fishing trip to Glacier Bay National Park ended tragically when a small boat capsized and two men drowned/Kurt Repanshek file photo

A holiday fishing outing at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska ended tragically when the small craft capsized, leaving two dead and four with hypothermia, according to park staff.

According to a park release, late Monday afternoon rangers received word that the Invader, an aluminum fishing vessel with six persons on board, had been observed capsized in the waters near Strawberry Island, 10 miles from park headquarters at Bartlett Cove. A variety of vessels, both large and small responded to the area and coordinated to search for victims and provide assistance.

Local charter operator Jim Kearns quickly located two victims in the water and one on the shoreline of Strawberry Island. He rushed them to Bartlett Cove where they were treated for mild hypothermia and released, the release said. Another victim experiencing severe hypothermia was transported by a National Park Service research vessel and airlifted to Juneau by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. 

Two unresponsive victims were located in the water and retrieved by the crew of the tour vessel Wilderness Discoverer. Despite efforts and extended CPR by onboard EMTs, crew, and park rangers, the two victims never regained consciousness and were pronounced dead upon arrival to Bartlett Cove, the park release said.

"I would like to express the deep sadness felt by the entire Glacier Bay family at the loss of these two park visitors," said Glacier Bay Superintendent Philip Hooge. "This is a reminder to all vessel owners on the importance of wearing life jackets and having ready access to emergency communication tools. The park thanks the multiple commercial and private operators that came together with the Coast Guard to save four lives."

The weather on scene was clear and calm. A National Park Service response team was to revisit the site Tuesday to locate and secure the vessel for recovery.