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| MH-60 Jayhawk ©USCG (archive) |
KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew located and hoisted a missing 74-year-old man from a heavily wooded area approximately 28 miles northwest of Haines, Alaska, Sunday.
The Jayhawk aircrew located the man near Walker Lake, hoisted and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in Haines, Sunday afternoon. He was reported in good condition with no injuries.
The search for the missing man began late Saturday night and continued into Sunday as a coordinated effort between two Coast Guard aircrews, Alaska State Troopers personnel, and three canine search teams from Skagway, Juneau and the local Haines area. These federal and state agencies saturated the dense woods by land and air in efforts to locate the man.
“Hiking and navigating through the Alaskan wilderness can be extremely dangerous," said Chief Petty Officer Seth Caron, a District 17 command center operations specialist. “Always remember to carry a GPS, a map and tell someone where you are going before you head out on the trail, as it can save your life.”
Weather on scene was clear skies, 10 miles visibility and an air temperature of 54 degrees.
For the initial news release, click here.
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