Fairbanks woman, 68, fell from horse into Wood River and died; cause under investigation

A 68-year-old Fairbanks woman, Debra Waugaman Curnow, fell from her horse while trying to ford the Wood River near Snow Mountain Gulch and died, Alaska State Troopers said. Troopers have not released a cause of death, and the case is open as a death investigation.

Investigators determined she fell from her horse upon entering the water, according to the dispatch posted by Alaska Wildlife Troopers.

A satellite communication service notified troopers on Sept. 14 that a person had fallen into the river. The trooper helicopter Helo 2 launched toward the area for the search and learned while en route that the person was dead. The dispatch does not say when she died.

Her body was taken back to Fairbanks. Next of kin have been notified.