Coast Guard rescues missing Craig hunter near Red Bay overnight

A U.S. Coast Guard crew located a missing 61-year-old Craig hunter on Prince of Wales Island early Saturday and flew him to Petersburg for medical treatment, Alaska State Troopers said.

Robert Patten was found and secured at about 2:05 a.m., according to the trooper dispatch. Weather prevented the Coast Guard from landing in Klawock, so the crew rerouted to Petersburg. The Petersburg Police Department and EMS were notified. Patten is being treated at the area hospital, and all parties are out of the field.

Patten and two companions started up Red Bay Mountain about 7:30 p.m. on July 23, planning to camp in the alpine for the deer season opener, troopers said. Because of health conditions, Patten turned back toward the logging road to camp while the other two hunters continued.

The two returned to their vehicles the following day and found no sign of him. Their own search failed. Troopers were notified at about 8:17 p.m. Friday and requested the Coast Guard, citing Patten's health condition, the steep terrain and the time of day.

The island has drawn searchers before this summer. On July 2, a Klawock Search and Rescue drone located 23-year-old Sean Joseph uninjured on Sunnahae Mountain near Craig before midnight.

After two overdue women were located safe near Glennallen on July 22, the Department of Public Safety used the incident to remind Alaskans to leave travel plans and itineraries with someone before heading into the backcountry.