Alaska Army Guard Rescues Family of 6 Stranded Nearly 24 Hours on Kuskokwim River

A family of six, including a child and an elderly woman, was rescued after being stranded for nearly 24 hours on a sandbar in Alaska's Kuskokwim River amid severe storm conditions. Their boat became stuck near Tuntutuliak while traveling, and extreme winds, rough waters, and fog prevented local community efforts to reach them. Before their cellphones died, the family sent messages to Alaska State Troopers, who requested assistance from the Alaska Army National Guard. A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter crew from the 207th Aviation Battalion flew 25 miles in challenging weather to locate and rescue the family. Rescuers waded through nearly four feet of water to reach the hypothermic family members, providing in-flight rewarming care before transporting them to the Bethel Armory and then to a regional hospital. Officials emphasized the teamwork among the National Guard, state troopers, and local volunteers that ensured the family’s safe recovery.