MATCOM received 911 calls advising of a plane that crashed into the Matanuska River near mile 99 of the Glenn Highway on 05/28/2022 at approximately 1834 hours. The plane was occupied by three individuals including two adults and a 7-month-old child.
Nearby citizens witnessed the crash and immediately responded to assist where they found the airplane sinking into the river. Brett Winterbottom of Glacier View tethered himself to his ATV and swam into the Matanuska River and saved the adult male and 7-month-old child. Brett passed the baby to Tammy Saunders, a nurse who is visiting Alaska from Texas who was able to immediately render aid.
The female occupant of the aircraft became separated and swam herself to shore on the opposite side of the river. Another citizen arrived in a helicopter, collected her, and transported her to her family.
LifeMed responded to the scene and assisted in transporting the female and the infant to the hospital.
AST would like to thank the citizens who provided immediate rescue efforts and saved these three individuals.
