Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Alaska

Alaska rafting deaths highlight response challenges

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • cc2edc30-
    Image 1 of 2

    This undated photo taken and provided by Carol Sewell shows Karen Todd, of Sparks, Nev., who died June 15, 2016, along with Cheryl Minnehan after their raft overturned during a guided excursion on the Kongakut River on Alaska's North Slope. The recent deaths of Todd and Minnehan during a rafting excursion in a remote river highlights not only how dangerous Alaska's wilderness can be, but also how limited resources are in the nation’s largest state. (Carol Sewell via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

  • 010b72f1-
    Image 2 of 2

    This undated photo taken and provided by Jennifer Minnehan shows Cheryl Minnehan, of Elk Grove, Calif., who died June 15, 2016, along with Karen Todd after their raft overturned during a guided excursion on the Kongakut River on Alaska's North Slope. The recent deaths of Todd and Minnehan during a rafting excursion in a remote river highlights not only how dangerous Alaska's wilderness can be, but also how limited resources are in the nation’s largest state. (Jennifer Minnehan via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The recent deaths of two women during a rafting excursion in a remote river highlights not only how dangerous Alaska's wilderness can be, but also how limited resources are in the nation's largest state.

The women's families are questioning why it took so long for help to arrive.

Alaska National Guard officials point to the vastness of the state and say last week's response mission involved military aircraft from as far away as Anchorage.

Officials also point to unforeseen complications, including time lost after a rescue crew member's medical emergency that forced responders to turn around. An earlier response launched in an Army helicopter had to be scrapped after the crew realized the location was much farther than originally thought.

Sixty-nine-year-old Cheryl Minnehan of Elk Grove, California, and 67-year-old Karen Todd of Sparks, Nevada, died June 15 after their raft overturned during a guided excursion on the Kongakut River in the state's North Slope.

Related Topics