The bodies of two missing snowmachiners returning to Nome from Teller were found yesterday (Tuesday, Dec. 12) according to Alaska State Trooper dispatch. Search and rescue teams found the couple in the immediate area of where the snowmachine was spotted.
Two Nome residents, 34 year old Charlene ‘Aupee’ Habros and 55 year-old Dustin Gologergen, were found Tuesday afternoon after being overdue on a return trip back to Nome on a snowmachine. State Troopers have already notified their next of kin.
Trooper spokesperson, Austin McDaniel, said the couple was found where their snowmachine had been spotted.
Searchers faced significant challenges as a blizzard warning brought high winds and white-out conditions to the Bering Strait region.
The Nome Search And Rescue team reached the site yesterday after numerous attempts. McDaniel said Nome SAR, AST, and the Alaska Air National Guard were working to recover the bodies today (Wednesday Dec. 13).
Once recovered, the bodies will be sent to the State Medical Examiners Office. The cause of death isn’t being investigated as suspicious at this time.
Teller SAR is asking for donations of following supplies for future searches: head lamps, batteries, sustainable food, warm search gear, paper goods and water bottles. Donations can be mailed to the following: Diane Miller or Makitta Blanche Garnie (either name) Teller Search and Rescue Teller, Alaska 99778
Photo at top: The Nome-Teller Highway is a 72 mile dirt road, connecting the two communities. (Courtesy Todd White)
Editors Note: This story used to state the machine had crashed but it is not believed so.
