Bethel Search and Rescue is cautioning people not to take cars or trucks on the Kuskokwim River. They say the situation is also dangerous enough that snowmachines should also stay off the river as much as possible, according to a story from KYUK Public Media.
Search and Rescue Chief Mike Riley released a report saying there was an open hole on the shortcut slough to Napaskiak. The hole has been marked off with branches and they ask people to stay away from the area. The report also indicated there was another open hole near the airport in Napaskiak.
BSAR volunteers surveyed the ice thickness around the Nick O' Nick fish camp area below Bethel. They said ice averaged around 24 inches. There were other reports from Napakiak, further downriver, that river ice around the village was thinning and causing safety concerns for travelers.
Much of the ice along the sides of the river weakened causing overflow and hazards during high tide. The body of David George Paul of Napaskiak was recovered on Friday last week below Bethel in open water. Search and Rescue says someone in an ATV broke through the river ice in front of the Joe Lomack building in Bethel last week. The person got out but searchers ask people not to use ATVs on the river.
The trail markers have been removed upriver between Kalskag and Tuluksak. No further river traffic is recommended in that area.
Harry Jackson from Kwethluk said the ice in front of his mother's house is less than a foot thick. The shortcut across Henrietta's fishcamp, a well known travel route in that section of river, is dangerous and should be avoided. Searchers say travelers or hunters should bring rope, put their cellphone in a ziplock bag and let others know where they're going and when they should be back.
This story has been reprinted with permission from the original at KYUK.org.