Gusty Ishnook, 48, was killed after his snowmachine impacted a berm on a frozen lake late Thursday, say troopers.
State troopers reported that two snowmachines crashed into a berm at the edge of a frozen lake between Koliganek and New Stuyahok late last Thursday night. Troopers were notified of the accident at 11:47 pm.
Gusty "Elia" Ishnook, 48, was riding solo when his Polaris snowmachine hit the berm. Troopers say his snowmachine flew 55 feet in the air, then flipped and rolled another 70 feet. Ishnook was killed in the crash.
A second snowmachine also struck the berm. Myrtle Ishnook, 35, was driving, with Joey Gust, 25, aboard as a passenger. Both were treated for injuries at the clinic in Koliganek before being transported for further treatment at the Kanakanak Hospital in Dillingham.
Koliganek residents were able to respond to the scene and assist the injured.
Troopers say none of the riders were wearing a helmet. They believe alcohol may have been a "contributing factor" in the fatal wreck. Mr. Ishnook's body was to be transported from King Salmon to the state's medical examiner office in Anchorage for an autopsy.