Missing 63-year-old hunter rescued in Alaskan wilderness
Alaska State Troopers worked with the U.S.Coast Guard to find 63-year-old Irving Langmaid. USCG dispatched a helicopter crew to rescue the hunter.
Nighttime rescue of missing 63-year-old hunter in Alaska
In this footage from the U.S. Coast Guard, the missing man is spotted and then airlifted into the rescue helicopter. The 63-year-old was reported missing on the morning of November 26, 2022, and rescued that night near Klawock, Alaska.
JUNEAU, Alaska – A 63-year-old hunter was found near Klawock, Alaska, on Saturday after he was reported missing, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
Irving Langmaid of Klawock was hunting Saturday but never made it to his group.
Alaska State Troopers were contacted in the early evening hours, but as night fell, troopers reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance finding Langmaid.
"We have a system that allows us to see a little easier in the night, especially from the air," said USCG Petty Officer Lexie Preston.
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A Coast Guard machinery technician watches a Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.
(U.S. Coast Guard - Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant DeVuyst / FOX Weather)
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched and arrived at Langmaid's location at around 8:37 p.m.
At the time, weather conditions included a temperature of 32 degrees and wind speed of about 5-15 knots (5.8 to 17.3 mph), according to Preston.
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Footage from the nighttime rescue shows Langmaid as a white figure amidst dark silhouettes of trees. He waves his arms to catch the attention of the first responders.
![Irving Langmaid stands with his arms raised to catch the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew.]()
Image 1 of 2Irving Langmaid stands with his arms raised to catch the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew. (U.S. Coast Guard District 17 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Preston)
![Irving Langmaid stands with his arms raised to catch the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew.]()
Image 2 of 2Irving Langmaid stands with his arms raised to catch the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew. (U.S. Coast Guard District 17 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Preston)
As the helicopter flies closer to him, the hunter can be seen walking toward the aircraft.
Langmaid walks toward the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
(U.S. Coast Guard District 17 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Preston / FOX Weather)
A helicopter crew member was sent down to meet Langmaid, who helped him into a basket.
Langmaid is helped by Coast Guard first responder on the ground.
(U.S. Coast Guard District 17 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Preston / FOX Weather)
Langmaid was then hoisted up into the helicopter.
Langmaid is hoisted up into the helicopter.
(U.S. Coast Guard District 17 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexandria Preston / FOX Weather)
The USCG flew Langmaid to the Klawock airport, where emergency medical service and Alaska State Troopers were waiting. Langmaid was then transported to a clinic for medical evaluation.
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"This case really highlights the need for people to carry some sort of signaling device when you are out recreating," said LCDR Scott M. Woodcock, the Aircraft Commander flying the helicopter that found Langmaid. "This hunter was very lucky that we found him on our FLIR (Forward Looking IfraRed) system."
U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter takes off from Air Station Sitka.
(LCDR Wryan Webb / U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka / FOX Weather)
LCDR Woodcock noted that, while a satellite-based emergency locating device, flare, or emergency strobe would be best, a signaling device as little as a cigarette lighter can greatly improve your chances of being rescued. He said that with their night vision goggles, the Coast Guard can detect the light of a lighter up to 5 miles away.