On Wednesday at approximately 7 pm, a 911 call went in to the Alaska State Troopers reporting an overturned kayak with a man in the water in the Copper River.

The troopers put in a request to the Chitina dip-net charter operators for assistance in retrieving the man in distress downstream of O’Brien Creek on the river.

The man, now identified as 57-year-old Tonsina resident David Bruss, was pulled from the icy waters of the river by the dip-net charter operators approximately 3 miles downstream from O’Brien Creek.

Bruss was treated by Chitina EMS at the scene and released.

Troopers credit Bruss with wearing a PFD which they say contributed to his survival in the cold, turbulent waters of the river.