A woman found Wednesday walking barefoot near the Yukon River told rescuers that she was in a boating accident over the weekend, launching a search along the river for two missing Beaver residents, according to Alaska State Troopers.
The survivor, 45-year-old Rampart resident Kim Andon, told troopers she was traveling with 56-year-old Clifford Adams and 58-year-old Ai Adams when their boat overturned Sunday about 6 miles from Beaver, according to troopers. Andon was found about 2 miles downriver from the village on Wednesday morning and told rescuers she had been walking there.
"Andon reported that (the Adamses) were unaccounted for and the last time she saw them they were unresponsive," troopers wrote in a dispatch. "Andon further stated that she was the only one wearing a life jacket at the time."
Andon had no means of calling for help after the boat flipped, troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said. She was taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, but word on her condition wasn't immediately available Thursday.
"She had to walk through the brush and everything for a few days barefoot because she had to kick her shoes off in the water," Peters said. "I'm sure she had a very traumatic few days."
Boaters began to search the river immediately after the Adamses were reported missing, supported by a troopers helicopter flying out of Fairbanks. The boat was found, but no sign of the missing boaters.
Search efforts on the river, including more helicopter flights and a check of the riverbank, were set to resume Thursday.
Peters urged Alaskans to contact authorities whenever people haven't returned on schedule from a backcountry trip.
"Anytime someone is overdue or not where you think, report it as soon as possible because we can't start looking for them until they're reported," Peters said.