VFD Backcountry Search & Rescue Team personnel launch Friday
afternoon to search for a missing kayaker. VFD photo.
Valdez, AK – Valdez Fire and Police Departments responded to reports of an overturned kayaker
in Valdez Glacier Stream late Friday afternoon.
At approximately 4:55 p.m. Friday, Valdez Dispatch received a report of an adult kayaker who
could not be located after overturning while paddling in Valdez Glacier Stream. Witnesses reported the kayaker was paddling a “sit-on-top” style kayak and wearing a personal flotation
device at the time of the incident.
Emergency responders arrived on scene and immediately began searching for the missing
kayaker both using an inflatable raft and on foot along the shoreline. Lookouts were also established downstream at the Valdez Glacier Stream Bridge.
At approximately 5:15 p.m., responders visually spotted the kayaker in the center channel of Valdez Glacier Stream. A police officer on foot reached the kayaker first, pulled them from the
water, and began administering CPR. Fire department personnel moved the patient into the raft,
continued basic life support measures, and transported the patient downstream to a waiting
ambulance.
The patient was transported to Providence Valdez Medical Center for advanced care, where they
later succumbed to their injuries.
Next of kin have been notified.