Don't 'Skip' Snowmobile Over Water

(Ambler, Alaska)

Two men in Northwest Alaska drowned after trying to drive their snowmachine over open water on the Kobuk River early Tuesday, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Brandon Cleveland, 21, Roger Cleveland, 29, and others from the village of Ambler were setting fish traps on the river sometime before 1 a.m. Tuesday, troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said.

At least one witness saw both men on a white Arctic Cat 800 snowmachine as they attempted to "skip" the snowmachine over open water on the Kobuk, Peters said.

The strong current pulled the men under. Bodies were recovered around 3AM.