Ducks Unlimited Recognizes Fundraising Volunteers Who Rescued Stranded Vehicle In Bethel Ice

Great piece from Ducks Unlimited about some volunteers who helped out a DU Alaska fundraising dunner in Bethel came to the aid of some fellow volunteers after a harrowing moment last winter. Here are some details:

Earlier this year, California Regional Vice President Jan Young received a call: the Bethel, Alaska dinner needed more volunteers. Without hesitation, she agreed and soon found herself flying into the remote Alaskan town alongside five dedicated volunteers from Anchorage.

Upon arrival at Bethel’s small airport, the group met Dave Weber, Alaska’s regional director, and Travis Burks, the local dinner chair. The volunteers piled into two vehicles and set off for a nearby lodge to rest before the event. 

For the Alaskans, the drive wasn’t anything to bat an eye at. The route followed ice roads, frozen rivers that, in this part of Alaska, serve as winter highways. But for the visitors, it was equal parts fascinating and nerve-wracking. 

As the convoy made steady progress across the ice, Burks, noticing the apprehension of his passengers, pointed to large wooden tripods along the road. He explained that these served as markers indicating the stability and depth of the ice. That day, the ice was four feet thick and the tripods stood tall near the river’s edge. 

“When the marker tips or falls through the ice, that’s our signal,” he said. 

Moments later, the situation took a dramatic turn. The vehicle ahead, carrying volunteer Annie Staudenmaier, her daughter, and her four-year-old granddaughter, veered slightly toward the shoreline and broke through the ice. 

The response was immediate. Burks stopped, jumped from the truck, and ran to the sinking vehicle. He pulled the toddler from her car seat in the second row without a drop of water touching her. She was quickly bundled into the second truck for warmth. Volunteers Beth and Sarah Steele helped keep her calm, while Burks and Weber assisted Annie and her daughter out of the waterlogged vehicle. Despite injuring his leg after falling through the ice himself, Burks remained focused on ensuring everyone’s safety and later drove the group back to the lodge. 

Great job, everyone!