Two snowmachiners are presumed dead in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region after going missing in recent days, Alaska State Troopers reported Monday.
They apparently fell through ice in separate incidents.
"They're looking for bodies in both of these (situations), and it's unfortunate," said trooper spokesman Greg Wilkinson.
The first was Albert Agathluk, 36, of the Yukon River village of Alakanuk. He left Emmonak for home on Thursday, and he was reported missing on Friday. On Saturday, searchers found his boots and a glove under the ice near a hole on the Yukon River, troopers said.
Troopers in Bethel heard about another missing snowmachiner in Nunapitchuk, 22 miles northwest of Bethel, on Saturday morning. Teams began a search for Jason Riley, 21, of Nunapitchuk, troopers said. Searchers found his hat on the edge of the ice near an opening on the Johnson River. They later recovered his snowmachine in the same area.
Nunapitchuk Village public safety officer Jacob Tobeluk said Monday that about 50 feet from where the snowmachine was found, searchers "felt something under the water" that might be Riley's body. However, they were unable to pull it up.
Searchers will resume the work today, he said.
"I went to high school with (Riley). He was one of my friends," Tobeluk said. "We are really hoping to find his body soon."
Wilkinson reminded snowmachiners that even though it's been cold for quite a while, ice forms slowly over moving water.
"People need to be really aware and know where they're going," he said.
