Gambell teens survive suicide attempts

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- Two Gambell teen-agers have survived an attempted double suicide, Alaska State Troopers said.

Shortly before 10:45 p.m. Monday, a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl shot themselves in the stomach with a .22 caliber rifle. The girls, whose names were not released, apparently had made a suicide pact, trooper Chad Goeden said.

One of the girls was depressed and decided she wanted to commit suicide, according to Goeden. He said the friend went along because of the pact.

Another juvenile in the house heard the first shot and ran to the bedroom in time to witness the second shot, Goeden said. The juvenile then called authorities.

The girls were airlifted from Gambell, 200 miles southwest of Nome, to the Norton Sound Regional Hospital in Nome. They are expected to fully recover, Goeden said.