UPDATE: Broken Exhaust Pipe Led To Boaters’ Deaths

WILLIAMS (AP) - Authorities say a broken exhaust pipe system led to the deaths of two men in a boat on Lake of the Woods and nearly killed a third.

Lake of the Woods County sheriff's investigators say they found an aluminum soda can shoved in one of the boat's two exhaust pipes, apparently to stop water from washing back into the engine compartment of the 25-foot cruiser. Officials say that forced exhaust fumes back into the engine compartment and up through an uncovered engine hatch.

The boat's owner, 44-year-old Lonnie Norberg and 35-year-old Jeffrey Wheeler, both of Chapman, died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning Sunday. Their fishing buddy, 43-year-old Christopher Klick, of Crystal, tells the Star Tribune (http://bit.ly/17FVtoH ) he fell unconscious for about four hours, then managed to get the boat started and headed for shore.