It was on New Year's Day that Koliganek resident Devan McDowell left Koliganek on his snow machine to travel to Levelock at about 2 pm.

But, McDowell would lose his way a short time after leaving the small southwest Alaska community.

When McDowell did not arrive in New Stuyahok, a midway destination on his way to Levelock, searchers on snow machines departed New Stuyahok to search for the overdue rider. Searchers were anxious to find the overdue rider as it was reported by the New Stuyahok VPSO that there were open areas of water on the Nushagak River and that the trail along the river had yet to be established.

Searchers from New Stuyahok would depart the village and head towards the village of Koliganek, but their search was unsuccessful, and finding no tracks, returned to the village.

Once the search team returned with no success, RCC was called in to continue the search. A search of the Nushagak River was intiated and on January 2nd, RCC reported finding McDowell approximately 5.5 miles east of the community of Koliganek near Cranberry Creek.

It was reported that McDowell was in good condition when found, and was transported back to Koligenak without the need of medical attention.