Alaska News

Motorcyclist injured in collision with moose on Parks Highway

A motorcycle collided with a moose on the Parks Highway Wednesday afternoon, seriously injuring the motorcycle rider, according to Alaska State Troopers.

The first 911 call about the crash came in just after 3:30 p.m.

Scott Smith, 44, of Georgia, was riding a BMW 800cc adventure bike northbound when a cow moose ran in front of him at Mile 147, near the Alaska Veterans Memorial, said trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen. Smith was third in a line of three motorcyclists from Georgia touring Alaska on bikes rented from a Palmer shop. He was wearing a helmet.

"The motorcycle hit the moose dead center in the body," Ipsen said in an email. "The mama moose ran off the road and into the woods where she was found dead."

The calf hasn't been found.

Troopers called a charity to process and salvage the meat.

An air ambulance helicopter flew Smith to a hospital. He was conscious and talking at the scene.

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The highway was closed for about one and a half hours.

Anchorage Daily News

Anchorage

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