Two Hunters Rescued Near Talkeetna After Boat Capsizes

Two Mat-Su Valley men were rescued by Alaska State Troopers yesterday after their boat capsized during a hunting trip.

Robert Miller, of Palmer, and Willy Rumbo, of Wasilla, were returning from the trip when their boat struck a log and capsized, according to Troopers.

State Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters says that Troopers received calls from the wife of one of the hunters, and then from the hunters, themselves.  Both calls came in shortly after noon Wednesday. State Troopers contacted Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures and asked them to assist with the search and rescue.

Steve Mahay, a local river expert and rescue volunteer, says that he and a Trooper located the two men well upriver of Talkeetna.  He says that the hunters had been  in a welded aluminum boat.  Troopers say that one of the two men had minor injuries, and Mahay confirmed that one of the men had lacerations and “a bump on the head,” but that both men were alert and responsive.

He believes the boat might be recoverable, but that the gear that was inside is probably lost forever.  It is unknown if the hunters had any game on board.

Trooper spokeswoman Peters says that while it’s unfortunate that the hunters lost their property, making sure they got home safely is the most important thing.

She says, “Gear is replaceable.  They aren’t.”

Both men were treated at the Talkeetna boat launch by EMS and released.