Troopers airlift injured boater from Cosna River after capsizing en route to air ambulance

A boater with a severe leg injury reached Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Sunday after the boat carrying the party to an air ambulance pickup capsized on the Cosna River, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers received the first SOS at about 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, from a remote stretch of the river. Because of limited aviation resources, troopers said, responders connected the party with medical professionals for guidance and arranged an air ambulance pickup for the following morning.

Their boat capsized along the way. A second SOS followed, reporting renewed bleeding and exposure to freezing water.

Troopers deployed the helicopter Helo 2 to respond. The crew located the scene with assistance from nearby Good Samaritans, according to the dispatch. The injured person was flown out without further incident and taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. The dispatch is the only account of the incident and does not identify anyone involved.