Two pack rafters were stranded on the Klehini River over the weekend. Both were uninjured.
Coast Guard rescued a stranded pack rafter who capsized on the Klehini River north of Haines on Sunday.
A Sitka-based helicopter landed on the sandbar where the 42-year old woman and her male companion were stuck overnight. Coast Guard flew her to Haines and placed her in the care of Haines Emergency Medical Services. She showed symptoms of hypothermia but was in stable condition.
Alaska State Troopers got the call Sunday morning. After the woman’s raft capsized, her companion swam across the Klehini River to seek help on the highway. He hiked to the border station to call for help.
Haines Fire Chief Al Giddings said local EMS met the man at the Candadian border.
“He was a little bit hypothermic, but is he was not in a hypothermic crisis state,” Giddings said.
“So he actually said he did not want to be transported nor felt any need to be transported to the clinic.”
Giddings said EMS staff then met the Coast Guard helicopter at the Haines airport to collect the woman. She also showed symptoms of hypothermia but declined further medical attention.
National Weather Service forecasters say area rivers rose this weekend in response to runoff from recent rains. Levels are predicted to taper this week.
