Search for missing man

A Newtok man on a hunting trip is overdue and is the subject of a search and rescue mission. On 3/27/2017 at about 1145 hours, Alaska State Troopers in Bethel received a report of an overdue hunter out of the coastal village of Newtok. Tom John, age 59 of Newtok, left the village on 3/26/2017 at about 1000 hours to hunt for seals. Ground searchers located Tom’s vehicle and equipment at about 1230 hours on 3/27/2017 on the edge of the ice at local hunting grounds, but Tom and his kayak were missing. Troopers in Bethel coordinated with the Rescue Coordination Center, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and local search parties. USCG and CAP aircraft searched the area throughout the day on 3/27/2017 along with ground-based local search parties. Tom was last seen wearing a black coat and black pants. He was hunting with a red and yellow single-person kayak. Anyone with information regarding Tom’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Alaska State Troopers in Bethel at (907)543-2294.