Daily Archives: December 21, 2014

On 12-21-2014 BSAR assisted in the successful search for Adrian Hoffman. Hoffman was reported to have left Kasigluk alone en route to Tununak on Saturday the 20th,  driving alone on a black 800 Polaris at about 6:30 pm.  And was discovered to be overdue by a member of BSAR after learning of it on Facebook on Sunday morning.

The BSAR member and employee of Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife saw information on Facebook from Hoffman’s family that they were concerned about his whereabouts.

A search was initiated today with three aircraft, two of U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s airplanes, a 206 Cessna and a Super-cub. They were also joined by an Alaska State Trooper Super-cub based out of Bethel. All three in coordination followed his snowmachine tracks from Kasigluk to a large lake nearby Baird Inlet.

After the lengthy extensive search with aircraft, Hoffman was found on a large lake in good health but otherwise tired, about 11 miles southeast of Nightmute walking at about 1:26 this afternoon. The AST Super-cub landed, picked Hoffman up and brought him an area where the 206 was able to land on the snow mobile trail which he was transferred to. Hoffman had walked about two miles from his snow mobile after he had experienced engine problems. He was brought to Tununak, his original destination where he was met by his family.

Some areas near Baird Inlet are dangerous to be traveling by snow machine in as there are creeks where the water is flowing despite the colder temperatures. Also be aware of thin ice in the same areas. As a reminder, please file a trip plan with family with when you are expected to arrive at your destination and to take with you a signaling device, like flares or a mirror.

Thanks to U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Alaska State Troopers for their efforts in returning Hoffman safely back home.

All photographs courtesy of BSAR member, Mano Rogers.

The seventh day provided no real definitive results. The area nearby where the four wheeler was found, a piece of red fabric was hooked with the drag bars. And the search continues with many people getting tired and cold. Temperatures today hovered about 10 degrees with a 20-25 north wind so the ice formed quickly hampering progress.

Overview of the site where so much has been done….tireless efforts of so many.

Tomorrow, plans are to drag the bottom of the ice with drag bars that may float underneath the ice. Some believe that more clues will  be found there.  VPSO Sgt. Daniel “Max” Olick is asking for more assistance from people to show up at the site and more food to feed the many that volunteer their efforts.

Photos courtesy of Earl Samuelson, Alaska State Trooper Pilot.

The funeral for Demantle is set for Sunday in Akiak, so many of our members will be attending, paying our respects to the family, sharing in the grief of their loss. Also praying for the family and for swift recovery of those that are still missing so that we all could assist in helping provide closure.