An unidentified man is presumed dead after he was seen in Fairbanks Saturday falling through ice into the Chena River, according to Fairbanks officials.
City spokeswoman Tammie Misrasi said in a statement that the man -- described by a caller as a man who appeared to be in his early 20s and wearing dark clothing -- was initially reported to dispatchers as incapacitated near the Cushman Street bridge at about 7:30 a.m.
"Approximately 10 minutes later, a second call was received that the person of interest had walked out onto the ice and had fallen into the river," Misrasi wrote.
Fairbanks Fire Department units arrived less than five minutes later, cutting holes in the ice and searching for the man for nearly two hours, but were unable to find him.
Misrasi said Sunday afternoon that efforts to locate the man are currently suspended.
"Rescue efforts have been halted due to the ice conditions of the river," Misrasi said. "The fire department and the VPSO are working together to determine when the efforts will resume -- it will be a recovery at this point."
There haven't yet been any hints as to the man's identity, despite work by investigators.
"They're still trying to come up with any missing persons that haven't been seen or spoken to, but they haven't had any leads at this time," Misrasi said.
Responders discovered only a black, size 9 shoe at the scene Saturday.
"The ice was reportedly broken where he went in, and the shoe was recovered right there at the ice," Misrasi said.
Anyone with information on the man's identity is asked to call Fairbanks police at 907-450-6500.