Yesterday morning about 9 am it was reported to the VPSO in Tanana Village that George Roberts, age 40 of Tanana had gotten separated from a group of snow machiners he was traveling with the night before and had not returned to the village.
According to reports, Roberts was last seen at about 11:15 pm the night before. At that time, he was about five miles upstream from the village at Eightmile Island.
Searchers on machines searched for Roberts through the day yesterday, until the ice was deemed too dangerous to drive on. A R-44 helicopter from the Alaska Wildlife troopers was dispatched to the area, along with a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172. They flew the area yesterday with no results.
During the search yesterday, a seat was found that matched the description of the snow machine seat that Roberts was riding. It was found in an open lead of water.
The search continued today, with the Alaska Wildlife aircraft conducting an aerial search. Meanwhile, two Alaska State Troopers flew in to Tanana to assist in a ground and water search.
Roberts’ body was located in an open lead of water on the river today at about 1:52 pm this afternoon. His body was located a little over an hour after the snow machine was found in the river.
Roberts’ remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy. Next of kin has been notified.