Manokotak and Togiak both launched search and rescue operations over the weekend for people stranded in the cold.
According to Alaska State Troopers, 20-year-old Sonya Ayokiak went fishing near Ualik Lake on Saturday. She did not return with the rest of the fishing group to the village. Ayokiak spent a night in the elements, but the search and rescue team found her unharmed Sunday afternoon.
A Togiak volunteer search and rescue team organized on Sunday to retrieve a man who was overdue in returning to Togiak from Dillingham. According to Togiak’s Village Public Safety Officer, the man was able to send a text message with his location from his Garmin GPS navigation and tracking device. The search and rescue team found the man quickly, leaving the village at 9 a.m. and locating him about two hours later. He was returned to his home in Togiak and was not in need of medical attention.
Contact the author at avery@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200