Wasilla man ‘likely drowned,’ Troopers say

DENALI HIGHWAY — High waters in a creek north of the Mat-Su Borough led to the apparent drowning of a Wasilla man Monday.

According to an Alaska State Trooper press statement, AST had been aware of a group of stranded hunters on the Denali Highway for a couple of days. High water in Butte Creek left them marooned near Mile 80.

Troopers say Bart Barnes, 51, of Wasilla, tried to cross the creek on an ATV Monday and was swept downstream.

Troopers called out two helicopters to look for Barnes, but one helicopter had to turn back due to bad weather. The second made it in but couldn’t find Barnes in the creek or in the Susitna River.

“It was determined that the victim had likely drowned,” troopers report.