Alaska News

4 men rescued from Willow Creek after rafts flip

An Alaska State Troopers helicopter crew rescued four stranded male boaters from Willow Creek on Sunday, troopers say.

Troopers got a report at 8 p.m. Saturday of four men in rafts that had capsized in rough water, troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. Patrol and wildlife troopers approached the group from both sides of the Mat-Su creek but couldn't find a suitable extraction point. The boaters, who ranged in age from 31 to 34, were equipped to spend the night. Troopers identified them as Jason Johnson, Jason Houck, Brian Kramer, and Gary Burgess.

At 8 a.m. Sunday, however, one of the boaters again called 911 and said they were getting fatigued and one man had a pre-existing heart condition, troopers said. The crew of the state's Helo 3 helicopter found all four at 11 a.m. Sunday and flew them to Willow Airport, where they were treated by medics.

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Reach Zaz Hollander at zhollander@adn.com or 257-4317.

By ZAZ HOLLANDER

zhollander@adn.com

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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