Another snowmachiner goes missing in rural Alaska

Authorities are searching for a man who went missing near Grayling. Alcohol was a contributing factor in this incident, according to Alaska State Troopers. Here's the press release: At approximately 8 p.m. on Dec. 02, Alaska State Troopers received a call from Grayling reporting Alvin Maillelle Jr., 33, of Grayling was overdue from a snowmachining trip. Maillelle reportedly left Grayling on a red Polaris snowmachine headed for Anvik at approximately 10 p.m. on Dec. 1. The trip normally takes about an hour by snowmachine; however, Maillelle has not been seen in either village since. Local ground searchers from both villages went out and searched prior to AST notification, but were unsuccessful due to a ground blizzard and a lot of open water on the Yukon River. On Dec. 3, ground searchers on snowmachine searched the area between Anvik and Grayling. Poor weather conditions kept AST aircraft grounded for most of the day. By the end of the day, Maillelle's helmet was found near an open lead in the river. On Dec. 5, Maillelle's snowmachine was recovered from the open lead in the river. Bethel Search and Rescue personnel are helping Aniak-based troopers coordinate the body recovery efforts. The search resumed Monday. Alcohol was a contributing factor in this incident.