Wasilla man found dead after he fell from canoe on Little Susitna River
By Anchorage Daily News
Published: July 5, 2023
A 67-year-old Wasilla man was found dead Wednesday after he was knocked from his canoe on the Little Susitna River a day earlier, Alaska State Troopers said. Stephen Craig was on the river with a friend Tuesday in separate canoes when he was knocked into the water by overhanging branches near the Manvil H. Olson bridge on Schrock Road in Wasilla, troopers said. Craig, who wasn’t wearing a life jacket, disappeared underwater before his friend could reach him, troopers said. He was reported missing to troopers around 3:15 p.m.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough medics and a river rescue team searched the water and shoreline, troopers said. A helicopter was deployed by Alaska Wildlife Troopers to search by air, they said. The search lasted for five hours Tuesday, and wildlife troopers continued to search for Craig on Wednesday, troopers said. Craig’s body was found around 9 a.m., submerged and caught in a logjam near the area where his canoe capsized, troopers said. His body was recovered around noon, according to troopers
AK23069026
Location: Palmer
Type: SAR
Dispatch Text:
Update: On June 5, 23, at 9:00 am, AWT resumed the search effort on the Little Susitna River. At around 10:30 am, the body of Stephen Craig was located submerged and caught in a logjam near where he was last seen. MatSu Borough EMS/River Rescue was contacted and responded to the scene to assist with the recovery. Craig's body was recovered from the logjam at approximately 12:00 pm. The State Medical Examiner responded to the scene and took possession of the remains. Next of Kin has been notified.
Original: On July 4, 2023, at 3:16 pm, Alaska State Troopers received a report that a male had capsized his canoe and disappeared under the water on the Little Susitna River. Investigation revealed that Stephen Craig, age 67 of Wasilla, and a friend were canoeing down the Little Susitna River in separate canoes. The friend observed Craig get knocked out of his canoe by overhanging branches on the river. Craig was not wearing a PFD and disappeared under the water before the friend could reach him. MatSu Borough EMS and River Rescue units were immediately dispatched to the scene and searched via water and on foot along the shoreline. AWT helicopter Helo 5 was deployed to assist with the search from the air. Searchers worked the river for approximately five hours but were unsuccessful in locating Craig. AWT contacted next of kin to provide an update on the search. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the incident. The Alaska Wildlife Troopers are continuing search efforts today.
The Alaska Wildlife Troopers would like to remind everyone to please wear a personal floatation device whenever you are on the water.
Posted on 7/5/2023 9:29:10 AM by DPS\jsdougherty
Posting Section: AK Wildlife Troopers
