Search still ongoing for missing snow machine traveler

Troopers suspend search as of April 7, SAR continues to look for body

Earlier this week, Alaska State Troopers and Elim Search and Rescue volunteers were still searching for Roger Hannon of Koyuk, who was reported missing on Thursday, March 31. Hannon, 22, and two companions set out from Elim to Koyuk during blizzard conditions on March 31 at 2 a.m. They separated due to poor visibility. According to troopers, one traveler made it to Koyuk. Another turned around and went back to Elim when he and Hannon became separated. Troopers say that Hannon was last seen on the sea ice east of Elim. Searchers from Koyuk and Elim searched areas between the two villages but had to abandon the effort due to bad weather conditions. When the search resumed, the volunteers used dragging hooks and found Hannon’s snowmachine in the open water at the ice edge about 2.5 miles east of the village of Elim. Christine Murray with Elim SAR said there were more than a dozen searchers looking for Hannon, using four boats, a remote operated vehicle, underwater cameras and dragging hooks. On Monday morning, Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Charlie Cross the efforts are now considered a recovery rather than a rescue. Hannon had lost the trail and apparently drove over the ice edge into open water. His snowmachine was found off the established trail, submerged in 20-30-ft. deep water, according to Murray.

The Nome Nugget

PO Box 610
Nome, Alaska 99762
USA

Phone: (907) 443-5235
Fax: (907) 443-5112

www.nomenugget.net

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