Search continues for missing Akiachak boater Jonathan Lomack

Search crews from three Kuskokwim River communities entered a third day Saturday looking for Jonathan Lomack, 59, of Akiachak, missing since Wednesday night. His boat was discovered a few miles downriver from Akiachak. Troopers have not said what happened to him on the water.

Lomack was last seen leaving the AC store, the Alaska Commercial Company outlet in Bethel, at about 9 p.m. on Sept. 16, the Alaska State Troopers said. His boat was found about two hours later, at approximately 11 p.m. It held his truck keys. His cell phone was also inside. The boat keys were found hanging in the willows, in the water, about 25 yards from the vessel.

Tribal police officers in Akiachak called troopers at 7:33 p.m. on Sept. 17 to report Lomack overdue. Akiachak search and rescue crews searched that day and again Friday. Bethel Search and Rescue and the trooper helicopter known as Helo 3 joined the search Friday. Akiachak and Kwethluk teams were still searching Saturday with help from Bethel Search and Rescue.

Bethel Search and Rescue located the remains of two people on Sept. 16, a day after their boat overturned near Steamboat Slough, troopers reported. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium says on its prevention and safety page that even the strongest swimmers cannot fight the effects of Alaska's cold rivers, lakes and oceans, and that "cold water immersion is the leading cause of drowning injuries and deaths."

Troopers had not posted an update on the Akiachak search as of Sunday.