It was reported to the Bethel Alaska State Troopers that a man was found deceased along the Quinhagak-Eek snow machine trail.

The report of the death 52-year-old Wilbur Small was made by the Quinhagak Village Public Safety Officer to the troopers on Wednesday at 12:34 pm.

It was reported that Small was found dead about 500-feet from his machine.

The machine was submerged up to the cowling in a creek just north of the community according to the trooper dispatch.

Troopers responded to the scene and their investigation indicated that Small had drove his snow machine into an open lead of water in the creek. This led to Small getting wet and subsequently succumbing to hypothermia along the trail.

Small’s remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy.

Next of kin was notified.