Anchorage, AK, United States (CNS) - Captain Phil Harris of Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" has died on Tuesday. The F/V Cornelia Marie master, who helmed the ship for 18 years, passed away after spending a few weeks at the hospital.
Harris was 53.
Harris was hospitalized late Jan. after suffering a stroke while in port off-loading the vessel. He was found unconscious in a stateroom, and was taken to an Anchorage hospital. He underwent a 12-hour emergency surgery. He had shown signs of improvement after a few days until he ultimately lost his fight.
His sons and deckhands, Jake and Josh, said in a statement, "It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad - Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end. For us and the crew, he was someone who never backed down. We will remember and celebrate that strength. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers."
Discovery also sent their condolence, saying, "Discovery mourns the loss of dear friend and colleague Captain Phil Harris. He was more than someone on our television screen. Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor and enormous heart. We share our tremendous sadness over this loss with the millions of viewers who followed Phil's every move."
