On July 4th, 2023, at 3:16PM, Alaska State Troopers received a report that a male had capsized his canoe and disappeared under the water on the Little Susitna River. Investigation revealed that the 67 year old male victim had been canoeing (in separate vessels) with a friend when the incident occurred. 

The friend reported that the victim had been knocked out of his canoe by overhanging branches on the river and disappeared under the water before he could be reached. The victim was NOT wearing a PFD and alcohol is NOT suspected to be a factor in the incident.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough EMS and River Rescue units were dispatched to the scene and searched via water and on foot along the shoreline. AWT helicopter Helo 5 was deployed to assist with the search from the air. The searchers continued for approximately 5 hours before suspending the search for the night. On July 5th, 2023, at 9:00AM, AWT resumed their search efforts. At approximately 10:30AM, the victim's body was located submerged and caught in a logjam near the location he was last seen. His remains were recovered around 12:00PM. The State Medical Examiner responded to the scene and took possession of the remains after the recovery.


(Description was adapted from an AST dispatch report.)

Little Susitna River
Wasilla                       