Two lost in open water mishap

Troopers in Bethel were informed by the Bethel Search and Rescue that they were responding to a report of two snowmachiners that had driven into a hole in the ice on the Kuskokwim River downstream of Tuluksak on 1/2/21 at approximately 0920 hours. The Bethel SAR reported local residents of Tuluksak witnessed the snowmachiners drive into open water at 1935 hours on 1/1/21. On 1/4/21 two snowmachines and one body have been removed from the Kuskokwim River at the spot the two were seen driving into the hole in the ice. Searchers are continuing to search for the second individual. Condolences to the families of the two snowmachiners.