67-Year-Old Wasilla Canoeist Found Dead In Little Su Log Jam

 Helo 5 Trooper Rescue Helicopter Deployed In Search For Canoeist 

Mat-Su EMS & River Rescue Units Helped  Wildlife Troopers  Search 

Update: On June 5, 23, at 9:00 am, AWT resumed the search effort on the Little Susitna River. At around 10:30 am, the body of Stephen Craig was located submerged and caught in a logjam near where he was last seen. MatSu Borough EMS/River Rescue was contacted and responded to the scene to assist with the recovery. Craig's body was recovered from the logjam at approximately 12:00 pm. The State Medical Examiner responded to the scene and took possession of the remains. Next of Kin has been notified.

Location: Palmer  

Type: SAR 

Dispatch Text: 

On July 4, 2023, at 3:16 pm, Alaska State Troopers received a report that a male had capsized his canoe and disappeared under the water on the Little Susitna River. 

Investigation revealed that Stephen Craig, age 67 of Wasilla, and a friend were canoeing down the Little Susitna River in separate canoes. The friend observed Craig get knocked out of his canoe by overhanging branches on the river. 

Craig was not wearing a PFD and disappeared under the water before the friend could reach him. MatSu Borough EMS and River Rescue units were immediately dispatched to the scene and searched via water and on foot along the shoreline. 

AWT helicopter Helo 5 was deployed to assist with the search from the air. Searchers worked the river for approximately five hours but were unsuccessful in locating Craig. AWT contacted next of kin to provide an update on the search. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the incident. The Alaska Wildlife Troopers are continuing search efforts today. 

The Alaska Wildlife Troopers would like to remind everyone to please wear a personal floatation device whenever you are on the water.