Ketchikan hunter treated for hypothermia after overnight search

A Ketchikan hunter was found with hypothermia after a night-long search that began when his satellite device sent an SOS, Alaska State Troopers said. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Troopers were notified of the SOS activation at 6:57 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, according to trooper dispatch AK26097610. The device placed the man about 125 yards from a Forest Service road, roughly 25 miles from Ketchikan by gravel road.

Wildlife Troopers found the man's truck about three miles from the SOS coordinates. A search around the signal's location turned up nothing. Family members arrived and joined the search.

Searchers later found his ATV several miles from the original coordinates. His hunting pack and firearm were still secured to it. Troopers said the surrounding area is heavily wooded and covered in dense brush. A search there also turned up nothing.

Troopers suspended the search at 3 a.m. Thursday. It resumed at 7:23 a.m., with the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad responding to the area where the ATV was found. The man was located after that. The troopers' report does not name him or say where he was found.

The Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad lends SPOT satellite messengers free through its loan program at the troopers' Ketchikan post, the public library and the visitors bureau. It asks people to report missing or overdue hikers to troopers at 907-225-5118.