Twenty-year-old Illinois man who had been stranded inside the Turnagain Arm mud near Hope died on Sunday the Alaska State Troopers announced.
According to an announcement published on early Monday morning, information was relayed to troopers shortly before the time of 6 p.m. the news that Zachary Porter was stuck in the sandy mud flats of the tidal. Troopers, in addition to Hope as well as Girdwood firefighters were on hand to respond to the call.
“Rescue efforts were unsuccessful and (Porter) died around six:43 p.m. as he was submerged in the inflowing floodwaters,” the dispatch said. Rescue teams retrieved Porter’s body at around six a.m. the next day.
Troopers were accumulating additional details about the call early Monday morning. Firefighters weren’t immediately available to answer messages seeking additional details.
The sand-like mud that runs on the arm can swiftly keep beachgoers from being spotted and intermittent reception on cell phones can deter people from making calls to 911.
Porter’s death occurs only two weeks ago when firefighters helped a hulking fisherman from mud near the river’s mouth. Twentymile River. Firefighters also saved a surveyor who was trapped in the mud up to his waist close to Tidewater Slough in November. Both rescues required making use of specific tool that injects water and air into the dirt around the person.
Responders have advised the public to form groups in the mud to ensure that someone is able to get assistance if someone in the group becomes stuck. Also, avoid staying on one spot for a long time.
