Search efforts by the Coast Guard for a missing hunter near Newtok have been called off after two days of searching.
After 59-year-old Tom John of Newtok left to hunt seals on Sunday, Alaska State Troopers were informed that he was “overdue” around 11:45am on Monday. Ground searchers and the Coast Guard found John’s snowmachine that same day, but were unable to locate John or his kayak.
According to a Coast Guard press release, their search and rescue crews suspended the search for John on Tuesday night. Petty Officer 1st Class Trevor Frommherz said, “Coast Guard search and rescue crews covered more than 9,400 square nautical miles in their attempt to find the missing man.”
Megan Peters, a public information officer with Alaska State Troopers, says Troopers have not found any new information regarding John’s whereabouts. However, as of 11:00am Thursday morning, Troopers have not called off their search efforts to locate John.
John was hunting in a red and yellow kayak. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Troopers in Bethel: (907) 543-2294.
