Copper River fisherman pulled dead from the surf

The Alaska State Troopers today released the following:

Location: Copper River flats
Type: Death investigation
On 5/25/17 at approximately 2100 hours, the U.S. Coast Guard received a report that the F/V Dances With Clams was driving around in circles with no one onboard near Pete Dahl Slough, Copper River flats. Two wildlife troopers from the P/V Churchill responded and received assistance from a good Samaritan vessel that could navigate in the shallow water. Just as troopers arrived near the search area, a Coast Guard helicopter dispatched to the scene found the victim and sole operator of the vessel facedown in the surf and unresponsive. The Coast Guard recovered the body and transported the remains to Cordova. The victim was identified as Clifford M. Johns, 69, of Bothell, Wash. No foul play is suspected. Next of kin was notified. Troopers recovered the fishing vessel and brought it back to Cordova. Johns' body was sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy.