15-year-old Alaska boy survives 62 hours at sea clinging to capsized boat and loved ones
Alaska/IBNS: A 15-year-old boy from Alaska survived nearly 62 hours at sea after the fishing boat he was travelling in capsized, with the teenager trying to hold on to the bodies of his brother and cousin after they drowned, the New York Post reported.
Derek Parker Aghnaanga was fishing with his older brother and cousin when their boat overturned near St. Lawrence Island before drifting into the Bering Sea on September 4.
The deceased have been identified as 35-year-old Sidney Kulowiyi and 34-year-old Barton Rookok.
Teen found on capsized boat
According to the report, Aghnaanga remained on the overturned vessel for around three days before he was spotted by the US Coast Guard.
He was reportedly found freezing, starving and exhausted while sitting on the capsized boat.
The Coast Guard had been alerted by Alaska State Troopers after the group failed to return home.
Aghnaanga had reportedly tried to hold on to his brother and cousin for as long as he could after they drowned.
Mother says son survived on prayer
The teenager's aunt, Colleen Walker, said Aghnaanga tried to stay with the bodies of his brother and cousin following the tragedy.
His mother, Vina Kulowiyi, later described her son's ordeal in a Facebook post.
"My survivor. His story is amazing. He was never afraid the whole time. He knew he would be OK knowing his big brother was under the boat," she wrote.
She added, "4 days and 3 nights. He lived on prayer with no food and water. Love you son. He said he sat like this praying the whole time."
Family remembers Sidney
In another Facebook post, Vina announced that she had named another grandson after her eldest son Sidney.
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