Tragic Snowmachine Accident Results In Deaths Of Two Sled Dogs During Race

Tragedy struck an Alaska sled dog race, when a team was run over by a snowmachiner, resulting in the deaths of at least two dogs, per the Anchorage Daily News:

Here’s more from Alaska’s News Source:

Barb Redington, the mother of reigning Iditarod champion Ryan Redington, told Alaska’s News Source that Mike Parker was the operator of the dog sled that was hit. Redington said Parker was competing with Lanier’s dogs in the Alpine Creek Excursion Sled Dog Race, a 64-mile event that was run Saturday in the area. 

Redington said the teams were headed towards Alpine Creek Lodge, located approximately halfway between Cantwell and Paxson on the Denali Highway, on Monday after the weekend’s festivities.

Troopers said the driver of the snowmachine stopped to help and has been contacted by investigators. Troopers said alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision at this time, and no arrests or citations have been made.

It’s the second deadly collision between a snowmachine and dog sled team in the span of a month, following a report that one of five-time Iditarod winner Dallas Seavey’s teams was struck by a snowmachine rider on Nov. 17, killing two dogs. The snowmachiner in that incident was cited for negligent driving.

Here’s also the Alaska State Troopers Dispatch on the incident:

AK23127551

Location: Cantwell – Denali Highway

Type: Snowmachine / Sled Dog Collision

Dispatch Text:

On December 11, 2023, at 5:38 pm, the Alaska State Troopers were notified that a snowmachine had collided with a sled dog team approximately two miles east of Cantwell along the Denali Highway. Two dogs were killed, two dogs were injured, and no humans were injured in the collision. The snowmachine operator stopped to render aid and has been contacted by Troopers. The Alaska State Troopers are actively investigating the incident. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor. At this time, no arrests have been made or citations issued.