UPDATE: One Body Recovered, Search Continues for Two Missing Bethel/Akiak Travelers

Three people traveling from Bethel to Akiak remain missing after the discovery of a four wheeler in an open lead on the Kuskokwim River on Saturday.

Troopers were notified of overdue travelers, two men and a woman, who did not arrive at Akiak as scheduled after leaving Kwethluk on Thursday. Troopers received the report on Friday at approximately 5 pm.

On Saturday Bethel Search and Rescue began searching for the missing persons. Alska State Troopers also took up an aerial search of the area. As the search progressed, a single set of tire tracks from a four-wheeler were located going into an open lead. Search and Rescue looked into the tracks and discovered a four-wheeler in the open lead. It was recovered and identified as belonging to one of the missing persons. There was no sign of the missing travelers at that time however.

The families of the missing persons have been notified of the discovery.

At 1:05 on Sunday, searchers recovered a body from the river. The remains were identified as those of Ralph Demantle.

The search is continuing for the other two riders.