Dale Neether, 08-11-99

Anchorage Daily News
Thursday, August 12, 1999
STATE NEWS

Clammer drowns in Inlet

SOLDOTNA -- A 73-year-old clammer drowned in Cook Inlet shortly before noon Wednesday after he was knocked off his feet by the incoming tide at Ninilchik beach, Alaska State Troopers said. The clammer was identified as Dale Neether of Kenai. Neether and his friend, Robert Dolan of Soldotna, had been clamming at a spot offshore that emerges at extreme low tides. Troopers said Neether was apparently unaware that the 10:06 a.m. minus 3.8-foot low tide was starting to come back in and was swept off his feet by chest-high water as he tried to get back to shore. He was wearing heavy clothes and hip boots. Dolan, who had reached the shore, doubled back to Neether and found him floating face-down. Dolan attempted to get Neether to shore but couldn't fight the rising tide, troopers said. Someone floated out in a small raft and brought Neether in, troopers said. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted for more than an hour before Neether was pronounced dead. No autopsy is planned.