Willow snowmachiner rescued from river

MAT-SU -- A 52-year-old snowmachiner was rescued by helicopter Thursday after his snowmachine fell through ice near Willow. According to Alaska State Troopers in Talkeetna, they were notified just before 6 p.m. by a local citizen that his friend, Robert N. Anderson, had used his cellular phone to call and report that he had fallen through the ice somewhere near the Susitna River and was wet, cold and needed help.

Troopers were able to make contact with Anderson via his cell phone and it was determined that he had taken the Rolly Lake trail off the Susitna River, on his way to the Deshka Landing in Willow. Anderson said he had walked about three miles back down the trail and was on the Susitna River and was starting to feel hypothermic, according to a release from troopers.

AST's helicopter Helo 1 was launched from Anchorage, and two volunteers from the area set out on snowmachines to look for the man. Anderson stayed in contact with AST and said he could hear the helicopter as they searched for him. Using night vision goggles, Helo 1's pilot located Anderson approximately five miles from Deshka Landing on the Susitna River as Anderson was lighting paper on fire as a signal.

The two snowmachiners arrived on scene as Helo 1 was picking up Anderson. Helo 1 returned to Deshka Landing with Anderson who was wet and cold but in good spirits, according to troopers. Anderson refused medical treatment and planned to remain at Deshka Landing for the night.

Anderson told troopers he had left his cabin on Unnamed Lake, near Bulchlitna at around noon on Thursday heading to Deshka Landing. At around 2:30 p.m., after going about three miles on the Rolly Lake trail, his snowmachine, a 550 Arctic Cat "Bear Cat," broke through the ice and became stuck. He then walked the three miles back to the Susitna River where he called for help and waited until being picked up.

Troopers would like to remind the public that ice on lakes and rivers is becoming unstable in many areas and it is important to be aware of destinations and conditions before venturing into the wilderness. Always file a trip plan with a family member or friend and take along emergency equipment and supplies, they warn. A copy of the Alaska State Trooper trip plan is available on their Web site at http://www.dps.state.ak.us/pio/. The simple form includes information such as destination and means of travel, date of travel and return date, a list of equipment being used during travel, and a list of contact names and phone numbers. The plan suggests leaving the Wilderness Trip Plan with a trusted individual who can notify troopers if the traveller does not return as planned.

Trooper information officer Greg Wilkinson said he was uncertain if Anderson had with him any supplies suggested on the Wilderness Trip Plan, such as a GPS, extra clothing or food.

"He did have one thing though," Wilkinson said. "He had a cell phone."

Contact Amy Menerey at editor@frontiersman.com.